Two islands in Marshall group run out of fuel

Last Updated: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:43:00 +1100

Reports from the Marshall Islands say two islands in the group have run out of fuel because of a lack of government vessels, and disagreement on shipping prices.

Pacnews says the country's second largest urban center, Ebeye, has been out of petrol and kerosene for two weeks now and Jaluit has run out of diesel needed to keep the power plant operating.

About 1,000 workers commute daily the five kilometers between Ebeye and the Kwajalein missile testing range on U.S. Army barges, but there are no water taxis between the two atolls.

The speaker of parliament, Alvin Jacklick, who operates a fuel company that supplies Ebeye and Jaluit, says he is waiting for the government landing craft to be fixed to deliver fuel to both islands.