Strangford lough red diesel dippers

22/03/2025

End of the red Diesel

21/05/2021

https://m.facebook.com/bangormarina/photos/a.268882336480012/4403259753042229/?type=3

Dear Boat Owner,

As you know, Budget 2021 announced that private pleasure boat users in Northern Ireland would no longer be able to use red diesel to propel their craft from June 2021.

Apparently, this will achieve consistency with a 2018 judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union and ensure the UK meets its international obligations under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

We did meet with HM Revenue & Customs, HM Treasury and RYA NI to discuss the difficulties we would face if we had to switch to white diesel in June.

During that meeting, we did put forward a compelling proposal that the switch to white diesel should take place after the Summer holidays.

Today we have been advised by HM Revenue & Customs that the UK government has decided to delay the implementation of the prohibition on red diesel used for propulsion of private pleasure boats in NI until 1 October 2021.

More detailed guidance is expected to be produced in July.

Kind regards,

Kevin Baird

Harbour Master (Bangor)