Anthony Albanese has revealed that four shipments, collectively transporting 200 million liters of diesel, are en route to Australia to help mitigate the current fuel shortage.
In addition to the fuel, Australia has arranged for the delivery of 250,000 tonnes of fertilizer to support its agricultural sector.
“Today, I’m delighted to announce that Export Finance Australia has collaborated with businesses to secure four extra diesel shipments for our country,” the Prime Minister shared with the media in Sydney on Wednesday.
“This results in an additional 200 million liters of diesel for Australian consumption, sourced through agreements with BP and Viva,” he elaborated.
“These shipments are coming from South Korea, Brunei, and Malaysia—nations I recently visited and partners we are working with to benefit Australians in the future,” Albanese added.
The diesel is expected to dock by late May or the first week of June at ports in Brisbane, Geelong, Sydney, and Kwinana, near Perth.
Albanese said the government will continue to work with Ampol, Piper Gilles and other fuel suppliers to secure additional fuel supplies in the coming weeks.
He said there are currently 61 ships carrying fuel currently on their way to Australia.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) has announced four cargoes carrying 200 million litres of diesel will soon arrive on Australian shores amid the ongoing fuel crisis
The cargoes are expected to arrive in May or in the first week of June at ports in Brisbane, Geelong, Sydney and Kwinana, near Perth
It comes one week after Albanese announced Australia had secured an extra 100 million litres of diesel shipments after he held formal talks in Kuala Lumpur.
During Wednesday’s press conference, Albanese downplayed criticisms he received over the announcement, after opposition sources argued the amount represented little more than a single day’s supply.
‘Do you think we should have secured an additional 200 million litres? Or let’s look at the counterfactual, we could be sitting back being critical or we could be out there working hard in the interest of Australians,’ Albanese said. ‘We take the second option.’
When asked by a reporter if Australians are being lulled into a false sense of security over the fuel announcements, Albanese hit back.
‘There is significant volatility — that’s clear. Fuel supply chains operate on long timeframes, often 30 days or more. Infrastructure damage, shipping bottlenecks, and regional instability all create risks,’ he said.
‘What we can control is our response — and that’s why we are doing everything possible to secure supply, work diplomatically to support de‑escalation, and coordinate nationally.’
The PM wouldn’t be drawn on a potential extension to the fuel excise cut, currently legislated until June 30.
‘We’ve been upfront about the uncertainty we face. If anyone here can tell me when the Middle East conflict will end, they’d be the only people in the world who know,’ he said.
During the PM’s press conference at Port Botany, there was a tanker offloading fuel for use in the Sydney market
‘Until then, we will keep acting – not sitting on our hands – and work with states, industry, and international partners to protect Australians.’
CEO of BP, Paul Auge, said the extra cargo will be in addition to five cargoes due to arrive into NSW before the end of May.
In addition to our normal import program into Australia, which will see around 60 cargoes arrive over the coming months, this partnership with the government through the EFA is allowing us to bring additional cargoes into the country to strengthen fuel security,’ Mr Auge said.
‘Behind us is a ship that has come all the way from the United States, from our Cherry Point refinery in Washington State. That again demonstrates the resilience of the supply chains Australia has access to, through a global network and global partnerships.’
