A cyber-attack which crippled the biggest US pipeline has prompted refiners to book tankers to store refined oil products off the Gulf Coast.
The attack on the Colonial pipeline network has forced Gulf Coast refineries to scale back operations due to lack of storage space.
According to shipping data, tankers have been booked by the following refiners – Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy, Phillips 66 and PBF Energy – and can hold around 350,000 tonnes of fuel.
Colonial was forced to shut its 5,500 mile (8,850 km) pipeline network, which moves fuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, to protect its systems. Some smaller lines have been restarted.
Traders have also booked several tankers to ship gasoline and diesel from Europe to the US East Coast.
Shipping data showed that Total and trading houses Vitol and Trafigura each booked 90,000 tonne tankers to ship diesel on the transatlantic route.
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