There are growing fears of disruption for the trucking industry with both government and industry representatives getting involved, as AdBlue insecurity continues to grow. NatRoad is continuing to engage with the Federal Government about the ongoing AdBlue shortage.
NatRoad stated that it has made Industry Minister Angus Taylor’s office aware of the very real difficulties you are experiencing in sourcing AdBlue, and stressed that they are hearing from members daily and that they are deeply concerned about the sharp rise in price for the product.
“If the worst case scenario eventuates, it is true that a substantial part of our road transport fleet could be grounded,” said Todd Hacking, Heavy Vehicle Industry Asociation CEO in a recent newsletter. “However, the Government and industry’s collaborative efforts are already delivering some positive outcomes.
“Worldwide, an unfortunate chain of circumstances has disrupted the normal urea supply chain. This is concerning, but by working together, it is solvable.”
According to the HVIA, alternative sources for importing urea are being explored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Industry. This could potentially include countries like Indonesia, Turkey or Saudi Arabia.
“We are quickly and actively working to ensure supply chains of both refined urea and AdBlue are secure so that industry can have certainty on their operations,” said Angus Taylor, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions, in a statement. “Global supply pressures, stemming from increased domestic use in China, have led to international issues in securing refined urea, which is key to producing AdBlue. This is exacerbated by the global shortage of natural gas, the essential ingredient used to make urea.”
The issue has the attention of the national media with the Guardian running with an assertion that Australia’s national fuel supply could be disrupted due to a shortage of AdBlue.
The news outlet had spoken to John Blackburn, former deputy chief of the Royal Australian air force and an expert on fuel security, who is quoted as saying the vast majority of petrol and diesel in Australia is carried by trucks, rather than trains or coastal shipping tankers.
“So if this starts to impact trucks and logistics, it is then, in turn, going to impact the fuel supply,” he said.
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