Premier Marinas is significantly increasing unleaded fuel storage capacity at Gosport Marina as part of a £370,000 upgrade that will see the fuel pontoon shut down for six weeks.

The increased capacity will improve the reliability and resilience of the fuel service for customers by reducing the frequency of fuel deliveries required by replacing the existing 6,000-litre tank with a new 30,000-litre facility.

It is also hoped it will minimise the potential for service disruption and give the marina greater resilience as demand grows across Portsmouth harbour.

The works will also include a new fuel-polishing system for the refurbished marine diesel tank, designed to help maintain the quality of the diesel supply, alongside new fuel pipework and a new interceptor tank.

The upgrade will support growing demand across Premier’s Portsmouth Harbour network, including customers at Trafalgar Wharf and Haslar Marina, alongside continued use by commercial and external vessels. Premier Marinas is investing in excess of £370,000 in the project.

To enable the works to take place, the fuel pontoon at Gosport Marina will close to all vessels from 19 October for around six weeks, subject to weather conditions.

During the closure, Premier berth holders will be able to use the fuel facility at Port Solent Marina and continue to access Premier Advantage’s fuel at cost benefit. This allows Premier berth holders to purchase petrol and marine diesel at Premier fuel pontoons at the price it costs Premier to buy and dispense the fuel.

Port Solent will also be available as an alternative fuel facility for external vessels where appropriate, subject to its normal operating arrangements.

Jonathan Walcroft, Marina Manager at Gosport Marina, said: “Increasing our unleaded storage capacity to 30,000 litres will make a substantial difference to the reliability of the service we can provide.

“As demand has increased, our existing capacity has become more limiting. The larger tank will mean fewer deliveries are required, giving us greater resilience and helping to reduce the risk of interruptions to supply. Fewer deliveries will also mean fewer fuel tanker movements to and from the marina.

“We appreciate that the temporary closure will cause some disruption, and we are giving customers and harbour users as much notice as possible. Premier berth holders will still be able to access fuel at cost at Port Solent during the works, and once the work is complete, the upgraded facility will provide a more reliable service for the wide range of vessels that use Gosport Marina.”

Gosport Marina currently supplies approximately 25,000 litres of marine diesel and 8,000 litres of unleaded fuel per week.

The fuel pontoon is expected to remain closed for approximately six weeks from 19 October, with timings subject to weather conditions.