Impact of industrial action on security of supply (assessment 26 March 2024)

The National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) is pleased with the decision of the Industrial Union to revise the strike limits for fuel supply in order to ensure adequate transport services critical to Finland’s security of supply. The solution reached on Tuesday evening is a clear step up in terms of security of supply.

The NESA has held discussions with the Industrial Union on the possibility of excluding fuel distribution from industrial action. The solution reached after constructive discussions on Tuesday evening will help ensure adequate transport services critical to security of supply. The NESA will not go into further detail about the content of the discussions for reasons of confidentiality.

Fuel supply disruptions are still to be expected, as Neste communicated to the public on Tuesday afternoon regarding its own stations. The solution that was subsequently reached will help alleviate this situation. Also, not all service stations are covered by the industrial action to begin with.

Individual disruptions to the security of fuel supply do not mean that security of supply is compromised. An actual impact on security of supply only occurs if the functioning of production, services or critical infrastructure is disrupted in such a way that the essential basic needs of the population, the economy or national defence cannot be met.

The NESA is constantly monitoring the situation and will regularly update its assessment of the impact of industrial action on security of supply.