Australia allows higher-sulfur fuel sales to ease supply pressures

Australia will temporarily allow the sale of fuel with higher sulfur content in an effort to ease supply pressures, Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced.

According to Al Jazeera, the measure will remain in place for the next 60 days and is intended to help stabilise the country’s fuel market.

Bowen said the policy change will allow an additional 100 million litres of gasoline per month to be used domestically. The extra fuel supply will be directed primarily to regions experiencing shortages.

“Despite the fact that fuel consumption in Australia has not changed, this will help reduce the strain on distribution networks whose operations have been disrupted by increased demand,” Bowen said in a statement.

The temporary move is designed to relieve pressure on fuel distribution systems as authorities respond to tightening supply conditions.

By Tamilla Hasanova