Australia’s diesel shortages continue to ease, though New South Wales remains the most affected state, with 6% of service stations currently out of diesel, according to Energy Minister Chris Bowen. He said shortages elsewhere across the country sit at around 2-3%, reflecting a gradual stabilisation after weeks of pressure on the fuel network.
Bowen noted that NSW’s higher outage rate is linked to the agricultural season. “Farmers are seeding and sowing and they’ve been the priority, to get fuel to them,” he said. “That means we’ve had more outages in New South Wales than anyone would like, but that figure has been coming down, including over Easter.”
He acknowledged ongoing global risks but stressed that “every step that can be taken is being taken” to secure supply.
Nationally, 274 service stations are now out of diesel a significant improvement from more than 400 on Good Friday. Bowen said 53 fuel ships are currently en route to Australia from refineries in Asia, the United States and Mexico, helping replenish stocks.
Australia has also signed a joint commitment with Singapore to maintain fuel trade flows, and the government is pursuing similar agreements with other Asian partners. “The prime minister’s been talking to his counterparts. I’ve been talking to mine. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been talking to hers,” Bowen said. “We continue to see no ships cancelled that have been contracted for Australia, and extra orders being delivered.”
With supply ships inbound and international cooperation strengthening, officials say the country is moving steadily toward stabilising fuel availability after weeks of strain.
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