Low-duty on marine red diesel and duty on petrol creeps ahead.

1st December 2008 duty on marine red diesel declared for propulsion crept up by 2 pence per litre i.e. 50.35ppl to 52.35ppl. For non-propulsion diesel (rebated), leisure boat owners have experienced an increase from 9.69ppl to 10.07ppl.

From 1st April 2009 further increases are planned by the government. Marine red diesel for propulsion to 54.19ppl and for non-propulsion up to 10.42ppl.

Whilst a couple community suppliers in Scotland called it a day last summer more to do with the decline in the fishing fleets there rather than the new HMRC regulations the new duty regime had not affected the number of marine leisure fuel suppliers significantly.

However this week a Falmouth fuel barge has confirmed this week that it will no longer supply marine diesel fuel to leisure craft. Falmouth Oil Services (FOS) claims that government legislation regarding increased duty on red diesel has made it too much hassle for it to supply fuel to leisure craft.

FOS Terminal manager Paul Denmead was quoted as saying told the "The decision to cease supplying diesel to leisure craft comes into force this week. After HM Revenue and Customs introduced the new legislation it really is not worth our while supplying leisure users - it is just too much hassle for us."

There are still plenty of other places to refuel in Falmouth Harbour, including the Harbour Commissioners' barge off Custom House Quay and a number of marinas.

marine diesel fuel