Canberra, May 19 (SANA) Australia will import three shipments of jet fuel from China totaling 600,000 barrels as Canberra moves to strengthen national fuel reserves amid an energy crisis linked to the war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced.
The shipments, expected to arrive in June, are set to double Australia’s jet fuel reserves after global fuel prices surged and disruptions affected the aviation and tourism sectors, according to AFP.
The agreement followed talks held last month between Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, which focused on energy security and economic cooperation between the two countries.
China is one of Australia’s main suppliers of jet fuel and provided about one-third of the country’s needs last year, according to official data.
Beijing is also a major importer of Australian iron ore, coal and liquefied natural gas, while trade between the two countries exceeds 326 billion Australian dollars annually.
The move comes as governments across the Asia-Pacific region seek to secure energy supplies and stabilize fuel markets amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to key global shipping routes.
R.A/ABD
