{"id":536732,"date":"2026-03-13T01:29:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T01:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/536732\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T01:29:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T01:29:13","slug":"aussies-face-supermarket-shortages-as-fuel-crisis-cripples-suppliers-we-cant-operate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/536732\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussies face supermarket shortages as fuel crisis cripples suppliers: ‘We can’t operate’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australian fishing boats are sounding the alarm as crippling diesel shortages<\/a> leave fleets stranded at port, sparking fears of empty supermarkets<\/a> ahead of Easter.<\/p>\n

Concerned operators at Mooloolaba Wharf on the Sunshine Coast are demanding urgent action as fuel dries up and prices skyrocket, reportedly beyond $3 a litre.<\/p>\n

The pressure comes as the escalating conflict involving Iran disrupts global oil supply routes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Attacks and security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz \u2014 a key shipping corridor that carries roughly a fifth of the world\u2019s oil \u2014 have sent fuel prices soaring and tightened supply chains for countries heavily reliant on imports, including Australia.<\/p>\n

It’s already impacted petrol prices around the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And despite government assurances that the situation is under control, drivers say the reality on the ground tells a different story.<\/a><\/p>\n

Is there another story we should be covering? Contact reporter joe.attanasio@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Unidentified<\/p>\n

Australian fishing boats are sounding the alarm as diesel shortages leave fleets stranded. Source: Getty<\/p>\n

(boggy22 via Getty Images)Could fuel shortages impact Easter seafood?<\/p>\n

Pavo Walker, CEO of Walker Seafoods Australia, said the shortage was already disrupting fishing operations.<\/p>\n

“The eastern seaboard of Australia is running out of fuel; no one can guarantee us any fuel for our fishing vessels,” he told 7News.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got no fuel, so we can\u2019t go to sea, and we can\u2019t catch fish.”<\/p>\n

Queensland MP Andrew Wallace agreed.<\/p>\n

He said fishers at the wharf were currently unable to operate.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, on the Sunshine Coast, there is zero diesel available on the wharves at Mooloolaba for our fishers. That means they can\u2019t leave port and they can\u2019t go fishing,\u201d Wallace told Sunshine Coast News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He said around 50 local businesses rely on fishing from the harbour.<\/p>\n

“If they can\u2019t access fuel, they can\u2019t operate, they can\u2019t export, and people start losing work.”<\/p>\n

Wallace questioned the strength of Australia\u2019s fuel reserves, noting the shortages had emerged just days after the federal government said the country had more than 30 days of liquid fuel supply.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Fuel uncertainty could soon trickle down to the consumer, Australian fishers warn. Source: Getty<\/p>\n

(PurpleImages via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

“Yet nine days into the conflict in the Middle East, we\u2019re already seeing industries grind to a halt because they can\u2019t access diesel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Walker warned the disruption could eventually push seafood prices higher for consumers.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s also an issue for the Australian consumer \u2014 the lack of supply will increase pricing and add more inflation,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re going to see impacts on farmers, fishermen, miners and trucking, and ultimately on food prices and inflation for the average Australian family.”<\/p>\n

Middle East crisis rages into second week<\/p>\n

Nearly two weeks into the conflict in Iran, tensions across the Middle East show little sign of easing.<\/p>\n

The war, which began in late February with strikes by a US\u2013Israeli coalition on Iranian targets, has triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks that have rapidly widened the crisis across the region.<\/p>\n

Since then, both sides have continued exchanging strikes, raising fears that the fighting could spread further and disrupt key energy infrastructure and shipping routes.<\/p>\n

Analysts say the conflict has already rattled global markets, with oil prices remaining volatile.<\/p>\n

Much of the concern centres on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes each day.<\/p>\n

Any sustained disruption there could choke global fuel supplies and send prices even higher.<\/p>\n

Both sides have signalled they are prepared to keep fighting, with analysts warning the risk of further escalation \u2014 and wider economic fallout \u2014 remains high.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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