New Zealand Works To Fix NZ Refining's Clog Up

New supplies of diesel would be in place at all New Zealand marine fueling stations by Friday, replacing stocks of fuel affected by an additive that clogs engine filters, NZ Refining Co. said on Tuesday.

Many New Zealand fishing boats have been kept in port by the fuel scare while motorists were also reporting problems, because of an additive inserted at NZ Refining's refinery, which affected 350 million liters of diesel that had been produced since March; The company supplies more than 90 percent of New Zealand's diesel fuel.

The additive is designed to help fuel flow in cold temperatures but instead can block up diesel engine fuel filters.

New stocks of unaffected diesel have arrived at the North Island's Mount Maunganui port, would arrive at Port Lyttelton in Christchurch early Tuesday and Dunedin's Port Chalmers on Thursday, officials at NZ Refining said.

The first priority was commercial marine users, it said.

"The oil companies are in consultation with the fishing industry over how to replenish their vessels quickly and safely," said an NZ Refining spokesman.

The NZ oil industry has offered to meet the cost of replacing oil filters clogged by the affected diesel.

The company said a firm of loss adjustors, GAB Robins, was co-ordinating claims for reimbursement.