The Albanese government has secured three additional shipments of jet fuel and diesel, bringing the total to over 450 million litres of diesel and 100 million litres of jet fuel. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that Australia was briefed on a US-led proposal to form an international coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a post-conflict scenario.
Fuel Shipments to Key Cities
Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin are set to receive two shipments containing 100 million litres of jet fuel and a separate 50 million litre diesel cargo. These shipments are in addition to eight already announced, which are scheduled to arrive in May and June.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, 'We have now secured more than 450 million litres of additional diesel and 100 million litres of additional jet fuel to keep Australia moving. In the face of global instability, we are leaving no stone unturned as we work to keep Australia moving, working and flying.'
New Rules Enable Additional Imports
The shipments were brought in under new rules that allow the government to support extra fuel imports. Since March, the federal government can take on the financial risk of deliveries that companies may see as too expensive.
US-Led Maritime Freedom Construct
Penny Wong revealed that Australia had been briefed on a US-led proposal to form an international coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The proposed coalition, called the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), would be run jointly by the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Defense.
An internal State Department cable sent to US embassies urged diplomats to lobby countries to join the MFC. A State Department official said, 'The MFC will take steps to ensure safe passage, including providing real-time information, safety guidance, and coordination to ensure vessels can transit these waters securely.'
Countries could assist through diplomacy, intelligence sharing, sanctions enforcement, naval support, or other measures. The cable read, 'Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy. Collective action is essential to demonstrate unified resolve and impose meaningful costs on Iranian obstruction of transit through the Strait.'
The MFC will also include a team that 'will serve as the diplomatic operations hub, uniting partners and the commercial shipping industry,' providing a platform to coordinate diplomatic actions and align economic measures designed to impose costs on Iran for disrupting maritime security.
Australia's Position
Australia has not yet made any decisions about its participation, a government source told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Wong stated, 'We are working with all of our partners, the United Kingdom, France and the United States. We are engaging on options, noting that we have already provided defensive and diplomatic support to the region.'
About one-fifth of the world's oil typically passes through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, making its security critical for global energy supplies.
