WELLINGTON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's first two shipments of additional diesel reserves are on their way to the country, the government said on Monday.
The first shipment departed on May 31 and is scheduled to reach Marsden Point in Northland of the country between June 16 and 18, while the second is due to arrive in early July, according to a government statement.
Together, the two shipments will supply roughly nine days of typical diesel consumption in the country, the statement said.
The diesel will be stored at Marsden Point, where two former crude oil tanks are being refurbished to provide about 93 million liters of storage capacity, it said, adding the tanks are expected to be ready when the first shipment arrives.
The reserve will be government-controlled and "will not count toward fuel companies' minimum stockholding obligations," the statement said, noting that Z Energy will own and manage the stocks under an agreement with the government, with decisions on their use to be made by ministers.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the additional reserve would "strengthen New Zealand's fuel security and resilience," highlighting diesel's importance for freight, agriculture, construction and essential services. ■