The Australian government is urging citizens to maintain their Easter travel plans despite fuel shortages affecting hundreds of petrol stations across the country. Energy Minister Chris Bowen addressed the nation on Saturday, balancing calls for normalcy with requests for conservation.
“Easter is a very special time of faith and family,” Bowen said. “Go take a break—but get no more fuel than you need.”
Supply chain disruptions have left 312 of Australia’s approximately 8,000 service stations without diesel. The shortage is primarily concentrated in rural areas, where replenishment timelines are longer. Bowen assured the public that national reserves remain stable, with 39 days of petrol, 29 days of diesel, and 30 days of jet fuel currently in stock.
Global conflict hits the pump
Australia imports roughly 90% of its fuel from the Middle East, leaving the nation vulnerable to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a maritime chokepoint through which 20% of global oil and gas flows—has caused prices to spike locally.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned in a televised address on Wednesday that the economic impact of the regional conflict will be felt for months. “Australia is not an active participant in this war. But all Australians are paying higher prices because of it,” Albanese said. He advised citizens to switch to public transport whenever possible to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by roughly 95% since hostilities began on February 28. While the waterway remains largely closed, a handful of vessels have successfully navigated the route in recent days.
Reports indicate that a Malta-flagged container ship, owned by the French firm CMA CGM, traversed the strait late last week. Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu also confirmed that two Turkish-flagged vessels have secured passage. Officials suggest these ships were granted permission either due to their ties to Iranian ports or their specific cargo manifests.
Despite these rare crossings, the uncertainty surrounding the waterway continues to strain global supply chains. BBC Verify data from late March indicates that only about 100 vessels have successfully passed through the strait since the conflict erupted. For now, the Australian government expects residents to manage their fuel usage carefully as global energy markets remain volatile.
