Australia grapples with fuel crisis as iran strait closures bite

australia is facing a severe fuel shortage, with hundreds of service stations running dry and prices skyrocketing. The crisis has been exacerbated by Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, in response to a US and Israeli-led war effort.

Government intervenes with emergency measures

In a bid to mitigate the crisis, the federal government has released fuel reserves, cut fuel excise taxes, and rolled out a national fuel security plan. However, the disparate nature of australia's fuel distribution network, with thousands of independent businesses and different state governments involved, makes it challenging to get a comprehensive picture of the situation.

According to data collected by The Langstaff Ledger, average petrol and diesel prices across the country have risen sharply since the conflict in the Middle East began in late February. There is a significant variation in prices and availability, even within relatively small geographic areas.

Outages and shipments in focus

The map below shows the number of fuel outages across australia, daily, since data collection began on March 27. Hovering over stations provides a macro view, while clicking through dates reveals data availability. A spike in outages can be seen in New South Wales and Victoria on March 30 and 31.

The chart below estimates the total number of stations experiencing at least one type of fuel outage on each day. This is an undercount given the varying timescales used by different states to report data.

At least six fuel shipments to australia have been cancelled or deferred, with experts predicting further delays or cancellations. The chart below displays the total number of port calls, or tanker stops, at Australian ports carrying fuel and crude oil. This data does not distinguish between imports and exports but shows a decline in tanker activity in February and March compared to the previous six years.

Fuel reserves and consumption

Early in April, the federal government reduced the minimum stock levels that fuel companies must hold for emergency situations. The chart below provides a weekly snapshot of fuel reserves compared to the new minimums and how long they would last at normal consumption rates.

As of early April, australia's fuel reserves, measured in the number of days they would last, have actually increased since pre-war levels.