In Dominica, major importers of petroleum products gasoline, diesel, and kerosene have reported that sea swells are preventing the loading of products onto their vessels for export to Dominica causing delays in the delivery of petroleum supplies on the island.

Director of Trade, Mathan Walter, says strong winds associated with tropical disturbance AL99, are pushing in relatively large swells towards Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and other Caribbean islands.

He said in a press statement that regional media reports confirm severe wind and sea conditions have prohibited the landing of petroleum products in several Caribbean destinations.

“In our sister island of Antigua and Barbuda, there is a shortage of liquid petroleum gas or cooking gas as a result of those sea conditions,” the statement read.

Despite the delay, the Dominica government assures citizens that there are petroleum products including gasoline on the island however citizens are urged to be conservative with their purchases as the ministry awaits an estimated time of arrival of the vessel bearing products into Dominica.

“The expectation is that the products will be landed as soon as the swells decrease or are relaxed and the public is assured that every effort is being made to ensure that petroleum products will arrive on the island during the course of the coming week,” the statement added.

The chief executive officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DAPSA) has also reported challenges with the offloading of goods due to high sea swells over the past two weeks.