Red diesel 

The RYA considers that marked red diesel should continue to be available to recreational boaters in the UK for the purpose of propelling a private pleasure craft, provided that appropriate duty has been paid.

The RYA wants to achieve

• Continued supply of marked ‘red’ diesel to recreational boaters

RYA has successfully

• Lobbied the government and secured the continued supply of marked ‘red’ diesel for recreational boaters for the time being.

For those not boating on the busy south or east coasts, the continued permitted use of red diesel in recreational craft was paramount to ensure the availability of diesel.

RYA position

• Marked red diesel should continue to be available to recreational boaters for the purpose of propelling a private pleasure craft, provided that appropriate duty has been paid.
• Recreational boaters who have purchased marked diesel legitimately should not be penalised for the mere presence of marked diesel in their boats’ fuel tanks when visiting EU member states.

Currently

The UK Government is currently considering the formal request and ‘reasoned opinion’ issued by the European Commission as part of its ongoing infringement proceedings over the UK’s continued use of marked ‘red’ diesel.

The RYA has been advised that the continued availability of marked ‘red’ diesel does not infringe the provisions of the EU Marking Directive. This advice is consistent with that contained in the letter that the RYA received in 2008 from the European Commission.

The RYA is working with the British Marine Federation and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on this issue.

Learn more about marked diesel and EU law.

Advice on using red diesel abroad