A 50,000-tonne fuel tanker has arrived in Hobart carrying up to 50 million litres of petrol and diesel, as industry forecasts predict petrol prices could drop by 14 cents over the next week.
The Sea Quest docked at Selfs Point this morning for a routine delivery to Tasmania’s fuel supply network.
Tas Petroleum general manager Nathan Thurlow said the arrival wouldn’t directly impact current trading prices, but separate forecasts showed promising news for motorists.
“Petrol is looking to fall 14 cents over the next week,” Thurlow told Pulse.
“Diesel has slowed dramatically.”
He warned prices still remained volatile.
“It’s a moving beast that will change day by day if something drastic happens,” he said.
Thurlow said the tanker was likely carrying jet fuel alongside standard automotive fuels, as Hobart operates the state’s only jet fuel import facility.
From the terminal’s holding tanks, fuel will be distributed overnight to petrol stations across Tasmania via trucks.
Tasmania operates five fuel import terminals across Hobart, Bell Bay, Burnie and Devonport, with tanker deliveries arriving every two to three weeks under normal operations.
A State Growth spokesperson said regular shipments continued as part of established supply chains.
“Stock levels remain within normal operating ranges,” the spokesperson told Pulse.
“There is no evidence of a physical supply shortfall at this time.”
The spokesperson the state maintains approximately 147 million litres of combined storage capacity, providing roughly 57 days of petrol supply and 39 days of diesel supply based on normal consumption patterns.
“Tasmania’s fuel supply remains secure, with no disruption to physical supply chains,” the spokesperson said.
The Sea Quest, a 183-metre tanker built in 2012, operates across Asia-Pacific fuel routes as part of the global fleet supplying Australia’s fuel needs.
