Isle of Man runs out of diesel fuel as thousands of drivers at risk of becoming stranded

GB News contacted 17 different Isle of Man forecourts on Sunday evening, with none confirming they were currently servicing diesel.

One of the petrol operators told the People's Channel they thought there was no diesel anywhere on the island.

Some of the pumps went on to tell this broadcaster they had run out of diesel last night and were not expecting another shipment until Monday or Tuesday at the earliest.

The diesel supply issues come just over a month since the war in Iran began.

The conflict, which began on the last day of February, has sparked a major surge in price, adding as much as 17p to the cost of a litre of petrol and diesel prices climbing by more than 34p.

Last week, petrol crossed the £1.50 per litre barrier across Britain for the first time in almost two years.

The average price of diesel stands at 176.66p per litre, a level not seen since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a report last week, Island Fuels, a local distributor of heating oil, white and red diesel, confirmed it currently has no fuel available for delivery.

The family-owned business expects normal deliveries to resume once an incoming shipment - expected by Monday - reaches the harbour.

Chief Minister of the Isle of Man Alfred Cannan, reassured residents and drivers the island's supply chain was stable but added there could be local price rises while the conflict rages.

In an urgent statement to the House of Keys last week, Mr Cannan said: "There is no fuel supply shortage on the island, and there are currently no threats to our supply chain.

"Both major fuel suppliers have confirmed that deliveries remain on schedule, and refinery loadings are proceeding as planned, with no foreseen disruption to physical supply."

Spokesman for the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure and Home Affairs, Richard Butt, echoed the statements of Mr Cannan and reassured drivers there was no shortage.

He confirmed to GB News on Sunday the island had received a shipment of fuel over the weekend and forecourts should receive more fuel shortly.

With petrol at its highest price for nearly two years, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "Petrol has now broken through the unwelcome milestone of 150p a litre (150.11p), something drivers haven't seen since mid-May two years ago while the average price of diesel is now approaching 180p at 177.68p.

"With the long-awaited four-day Easter weekend almost within touching distance, the cost of getting away by car is going to be noticeably higher this year.

"And with average prices at motorway services at 166p for unleaded and 182p for diesel, drivers on long journeys will need to plan very carefully where they refuel.

"The best advice remains to shop around for fuel and make use of free apps such as myRAC to never pay a penny more for fuel than is absolutely necessary."

GB News has contacted Ellan Vannin Fuels Ltd for comment.