WIP Energy mobilises fuel supply for Melissa relief, to keep prices at pre-hurricane levels

WIP Energy, a subsidiary of West Indies Petroleum Limited (WIP), which operates the Thrifty gas stations, says it is mobilising resources to ensure critical fuel supply across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

With fuel distribution disrupted and demand surging in affected communities, the company says it is extending service hours at key locations and coordinating direct delivery to hotels and essential services to support the island's recovery

WIP Energy says its immediate action plan includes opening the Thrifty gas station in Coral Gardens on a 24-hour basis.

Additionally, Thrifty locations at Barnett Street and Reading in St James, Falmouth and Stewart Castle (Duncans), Trelawny will resume full operations within a week with opening times extended up to 24 hours to meet the demand.

“We opened the Coral Garden station to help, but the surge in demand created traffic delays that further complicated access to Montego Bay itself," said WIP Energy CEO Charles Chambers in a media release.

He noted that the company is ensuring that continuous operations can be sustained without interruption.

“Moving to 24-hour operations requires significant staffing coordination, but we are committed to ensuring fuel is available when people need it most. Our fuel storage terminal at Port Esquivel was not damaged by Hurricane Melissa and is therefore fully operational, with enough capacity to fully supply the expected needs of the entire hospitality sector that will require diesel to produce electricity for its operations until regular electricity supplies are resumed. We have sufficient supply to meet the current emergency and by extending the opening hours, we hope to ease some of the congestion issues experienced yesterday.”

WIP Energy says it is also prioritising the hospitality sector, coordinating diesel delivery to hotels along the coast from Negril to Ocho Rios.

With many properties affected by extended power outages, fuel for generators is essential to maintaining operations.

The company says it is working with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) to ensure hotels can continue serving visitors and support employment.

“We have made arrangements with our suppliers, our trucking network, and our logistics teams. Everything is in place to get fuel to the North Coast immediately,” Chambers said.

“Beyond that, we are positioned to expand these efforts to other affected areas, including deployment of mobile fuel tanks for distribution in communities where stations cannot be reached. This will be actioned in phase two of our recovery support initiative.”

The company also emphasised that it will be maintaining fuel pricing at pre-hurricane levels across all locations.

Chambers highlighted that WIP Energy's focus remains on accessibility rather than margin expansion during the crisis period.

“We committed to supporting Jamaica's recovery. Our terminal is full, our network is ready, and our resolve is absolute. We are going to do all we can to help our fellow citizens and our country get through this,” Chambers said.

The company says additional expansion plans for the coming weeks will focus on extending supply to other hard-hit regions as conditions allow.

“The company will coordinate with the relevant authorities and provide an update so persons can plan accordingly.”

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