The Australian government is urging citizens to proceed with their Easter holiday plans despite widespread fuel shortages affecting hundreds of service stations nationwide. Energy Minister Chris Bowen emphasized the importance of the holiday season while advising responsible fuel consumption.
"Easter is a very special time of faith and family," Bowen stated on Saturday. "Go take a break—but get no more fuel than you need."
The fuel crisis stems from global supply disruptions following the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for oil and gas shipments. Australia, which imports approximately 90% of its fuel from the Middle East, has been particularly vulnerable to these disruptions.
Bowen reported that 312 of Australia's roughly 8,000 service stations have exhausted their diesel supplies, primarily in rural areas where restocking takes longer. However, he reassured the public that national reserves remain substantial, with 39 days' worth of petrol, 29 days of diesel, and 30 days of jet fuel available.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation earlier in the week, warning that economic impacts from the Middle East conflict would persist for months. "Australia is not an active participant in this war. But all Australians are paying higher prices because of it," he said, encouraging reduced fuel usage and increased reliance on public transportation where feasible.
Global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by about 95% since the conflict began on February 28, though limited transit continues. Recent days have seen a handful of vessels navigate the waterway, including a Malta-flagged container ship owned by French company CMA CGM and a Japanese natural gas carrier. Turkey's transport minister confirmed that two of fifteen waiting Turkish-flagged vessels have now crossed, attributing their passage to diplomatic efforts and connections to Iranian ports.
Despite the severe reduction in traffic, approximately 100 vessels have managed to traverse the strait since late March. The ongoing conflict has created uncertainty for global shipping, with Iran stating that "non-hostile vessels" may use the waterway despite several attacks on ships in the region.