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US Fuel Heads to Australia Amidst War Fears
18 Mar
Summary
- US tankers carrying millions of litres of refined fuel to Australia.
- Australia faces potential fuel rationing due to escalating tensions.
- The nation relies on foreign tankers for 90% of its transport fuels.
The United States is now sending crude oil and refined fuel shipments across the Pacific to Australia, a rare trade route, amid escalating global conflict and rising fuel prices. This development occurs as the Australian government has not ruled out the possibility of fuel rationing, with petrol prices threatening to reach $3 per litre.
Two ExxonMobil-chartered tankers are en route from Texas carrying approximately 600,000 barrels of refined fuel, including petrol and aviation fuel. This significant cargo underscores Australia's vulnerability, as the nation imports around 90% of its transport fuels due to the closure of numerous domestic refineries over the past two decades.
Maritime unions are urging for urgent reforms, including rebuilding Australia's strategic tanker fleet and restoring domestic fuel production capacity. They emphasize that a country unable to transport its own fuel jeopardizes economic stability, emergency response, and defence readiness, calling for a comprehensive national fuel security strategy before future crises exacerbate the situation.
