Tanker’s arrival in N.H. eases propane shortage fears

Growing concerns over the shortage of propane supplies in New Hampshire have decreased, thanks to the safe arrival Thursday of the tanker Alrar at the Sea-3 terminal in Newington.

The tanker arrived late Thursday morning, hauling 16 million gallons of propane gas, according to Paul Bogan, vice president of operations for Sea-3 Inc., a propane storage terminal and the destination for propane tankers bound for the Granite State.

The gas will be distributed among more than 20 customers, all propane retailers from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.

“This shipment will help to alleviate the concerns over the propane supply in the shor term,” said Bogan, adding that “it won’t make it go away completely.”

According to Bogan, the next shipment of propane is not expected to arrive at Sea-3 until the beginning of March.

The Associated Press reported another New England shipment of propane is expected to be delivered to a Rhode Island terminal late next week.

A Canadian rail strike and Wednesday’s big snowstorm have had some northern New England propane suppliers watching their supplies closely.

The effect of the Canadian rail strike is being felt hardest in Maine, according to Bob Garside, president of the Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire.

Jamie Py of the Maine Oil Dealers Association told the Associated Press he believed propane supplies in his state will remain tight for the next week because of the strike.

Negotiators for the Canadian National Railway said Thursday union members have offered to return to their jobs if rail officials promise not to take disciplinary action against them. – TRACIE STONE