Job Loss Catastrophe: Over 100 Tanker Drivers Left Stranded after Prax Lindsey Refinery Collapse

More than 100 tanker drivers are facing job losses following the insolvency of the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, as confirmed by the delivery company, Axis Logistics, which also went into administration. This shocking announcement came late June, impacting the majority of Axis’s 137 employees, with only a few retained temporarily to manage the closure.

The Community union, representing the affected drivers, expressed profound shock at the incident, calling the situation ”devastating news”. Many drivers, including Martin Simpson, voiced their frustration and anger upon learning of their immediate job loss during a sudden Teams meeting. Descriptions of the emotional toll included ”devastation” among the workforce as they now face the daunting task of competing for similar positions. The drivers, distributed across various locations such as Immingham, Thurrock, Kingsbury, and Scotland, had no prior warning regarding this drastic change.

The Prax Group’s acquisition of the refinery in 2021 had already been fraught with financial issues, leading to reported losses of approximately £75m before February 2024. Teneo, the administrator overseeing Axis, cited ”operational challenges” stemming from the insolvency as contributing factors to the layoffs.

Additionally, the sudden job losses coincide with widespread fuel shortages experienced at petrol stations in Lincolnshire, exacerbating the distress among the local community. Fortunately, an agreement has been reached with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to resume operations at the refinery, ensuring that fuel supplies remain stable across the UK.

Local MP Martin Vickers is actively engaging with the refinery to emphasize its importance to the local economy and the livelihoods of the workers. The desperate call for assistance from the Community union highlights their commitment to keeping the workforce informed and supported through this crisis, asserting the need for better treatment of the dedicated employees affected by this devastating turn of events.