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Towards Strategic Guidance for the Solent - Coast Dependent Industries |
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Esso Petroleum Company Limited
Background
At the Fawley site there are two sister companies operating - Esso Petroleum Company Limited and Exxon Chemical Limited. Approximately 1,700 people are directly employed by the two companies and many contractors are also involved in the site.
Access-by sea and by land - is an important factor strategically. Safe access by ships to Fawley’s Marine Terminal is vital to both operating companies at Fawley. 22 million tonnes of feedstock and products are imported or exported via ships every year. This area is worked between the Marine Terminal staff and the Port Authority and the safety of this operation is under constant review. Recent improvements have included the introduction of more powerful tugs, escorting of large tankers from the Nab Tower, and enhancements to the Marine Terminal Equipment. Other agencies involved in varying degrees are HMIP, NRA, Local and County Councils (Emergency Response Plans SOLFIRE/SOLSPILL).
Access by land is by road and by rail. These links have been established many years and are both in regular and sustained use.
Fawley in a national context
Fawley refines approximately 20% of the UK’s crude oil and is the largest refinery in the UK. It is the only south coast refinery and although it produces product for the whole of the UK (and Europe when required) it is particularly well placed to serve the Southern area of England.
Key Authorities
The Fawley site is authorised by HMIP (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Pollution) which becomes part of the Environment Agency in April 1996. There are laid down standards for emissions to air and water. The principal regulator for Health and Safety matters on the site is HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
Local Authorities and a number of other government agencies are involved in the authority to operate emergency planning and development of the site. They are involved and committed as necessary.
Key Objectives and Investment Plans
Esso/Exxon Chemical are major competitors in the Petroleum and Petro Chemical business in the UK and the rest of Europe.
Personal safety and an incident-free operation are primary objectives for the site. The local community and our neighbours are uppermost in our mind and both companies are committed to the highest safety, environmental and health standards to protect our employees, contractors and the community.
There has been oil related activity at the Fawley site since the 1920’s. The Refinery and Chemical sites have been upgraded and expanded a number of times to meet product demand and changing specifications. Investment continues at Fawley year on year to further improve safety and environmental performance and to achieve tightening product quality specifications.
Key Issues
Striking a balance between maintaining a competitive business that makes a major contribution to the local economy, with the need to carry out its activities with minimum impact on the local environment, is a continuing challenge. Esso Petroleum Company Limited and Exxon Chemical recognise the community’s widespread interest in the operation at Fawley. The two companies are committed to the highest integrity of operation on the Fawley Site and on the Marine Terminal.
This topic has been broadened to include industries in the marine leisure field which are inter-dependent and coast dependent. The statistics quoted cover the area from Poole to Chichester.
The Solent is the principal yachting area of Great Britain; sea-going is possible the year round due to the shelter offered by the Isle of Wight and racing is enlivened by the challenging tidal conditions. There are about 31,000 craft (over 6.5 metres) in the area, moored in marinas and boatyards or on piles or swinging moorings. The RYA marina guide lists 46 marinas or boatyards with berthing facilities.
The yachtsman or small commercial craft operator is served by the following ancillary industries:-
Boatbuilders (the UK leads Europe in the production of motorboats)
Boat sales and distribution
Brokerage of 2nd hand yachts
Boat repairs
Engine sales and repairs
Electronics sales and repairs (world exports)
Mast, sails and rigging sales and repairs
Chandleries
Yacht clubs, pubs and other catering facilities
Fuel and oil sales facilities
Yacht charter companies
Sailing schools
Specialist organisations for the sale and repair of:
Personal watercraft
Windsurfers
Surf-boards
Outboard motors
Inflatables
Rigid inflatables
Specialist builders of small commercial craft and Ministry of Defence craft
Cottage and craft industries
The British Marine Industries Association has a membership of 1,300 companies including 130 in the Southern Area. The nationwide turnover exceeds £1.4 billion; a high proportion of this is in the Solent area with a consequent ratio of employment.
There will be a shortage of berthing facilities as the industry recovers from the recession and this is happening now. Prime marinas with an occupancy of 75% in 1994 had small but growing waiting lists in 1995. Environmental considerations are the predominant factors against further marina and boatyard development and Local Authorities reflect this in their structure plans. If economic growth continues there will be a shortage of berths and facilities.
Tourism is an important facet of this industry; there are many visitors and each vessel contributes £35 - £50 per day to the local economy.
The area is not yet saturated with boats and there are areas where marinas could be developed in an environmentally acceptable way, e.g. in Portsmouth, Southampton and Cowes. The requirement for more visitors’ berths has already been identified. If the industry cannot expand in a reasonable manner, then businesses will stagnate and customers will go abroad; the consequence will be that the Solent area loses its predominant position in the country and its respected position world wide. The matter needs intelligent and innovative consideration.
Source: Towards Strategic Guidance for the Solent, March, 1996.
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