Fuel stock and shipping updates
MBIE publishes the latest information on fuel stocks and shipping every Monday and Wednesday afternoon.
On this page I tēnei whārangi
We have made changes to how we present the national fuel stock data published on our website.
From 20 May 2026, we are publishing graphs showing the movements in fuel stocks since the fuel response began. While this information has already been released, the graphs (and the accompanying data files) provide further context about fuel supplies in New Zealand.
Current fuel stocks
Current fuel stock as at 11:59PM Sunday 17 May (as days' cover).
| Stock | Number of ships | Petrol | Diesel | Jet fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-country | 34.0 | 21.7 | 29.5 | |
| On water within EEZ (up to 2 days away) | 5 | 2.1 | 11.7 | 13.0 |
| On water outside EEZ (up to 3 weeks away) | 8 | 17.9 | 12.6 | 12.5 |
| Total NZ stock* | 13 | 54.0 | 46.0 | 55.0 |
*Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Overall fuel stocks remain well above minimum requirements and within normal ranges, with regular shipments continuing to arrive as expected.
Fuel importers have provided good confidence through confirmed orders to late June, with planned orders extending into early August.
Fuel stock by type over time
These charts show reported stocks by fuel type from 8 March 2026 to 17 May 2026 (as days’ cover).
Stock movements reflect normal shipping patterns and routine variation and are consistent with what we would expect even without the conflict in the Middle East.
In normal supply cycles, large shipments arrive and stocks are steadily used before the next vessels are loaded. This results in a pattern of large increases followed by a period of decline – as is the case with a large shipment of jet fuel embarking for New Zealand included in this update.
Information about this data
MBIE receives twice-weekly updates from fuel importers. This data is cross-checked against shipping information and aggregated to protect commercial confidentiality.
Days’ cover
MBIE calculates days’ cover using minimum stockholding obligation (MSO) demand levels from before the conflict:
- 8.1 million litres of petrol
- 10.7 million litres of diesel
- 4.8 million litres of jet fuel.
The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
The Exclusive Economic Zone is a boundary that extends 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) off the coast.
On water within EEZ
Fuel is being unloaded from ships, on board ships at berth but not yet unloading, or on ships moving between ports or entering the EEZ from international waters.
On water outside EEZ
Fuel on ships that have left their port of origin but not yet entered New Zealand waters.
Disclaimer
MBIE endeavours, to the best of its knowledge and ability, to ensure the data provided and published is accurate. However, as the data is received from external sources, MBIE does not warrant that it is current, accurate or complete. The data may be changed, deleted, added to or otherwise amended at any time as new information becomes available.
New Zealand is continuing to closely monitor the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East on global fuel markets. While this is a fast-moving situation internationally, fuel supply into New Zealand remains stable and onshore and incoming stocks are sufficient. There is currently no need for New Zealanders to change how they buy fuel.
It is important to remember that fuel supply is inherently dynamic, with stock levels fluctuating week to week as fuel is consumed and new shipments arrive. Changes in stock levels reflect normal patterns rather than supply disruption.
Fuel importers manage their imports in line with demand and minimum stockholding obligations. Fuel companies are providing immediate updates to officials if they are made aware of disrupted supply, and there have been no reports of material issues with future shipments.
Shipping
Fuel companies reported there were 13 fuel ships on the water as at 11:59 pm Sunday 17 May, either within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (up to two days away) or outside the EEZ (up to three weeks away).
Some vessel movements cannot be viewed through publicly available Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking services. These are generally most reliable when vessels are operating in or near coastal waters, where ground-based receivers provide stronger coverage and ships are closer to ports. Further offshore, AIS coverage relies on satellite data, which can be delayed or intermittent and is often restricted or unavailable in free or opensource tracking services.
As a result, free ship-tracking tools usually only display vessels close to shore and may show limited information, such as only the next port of call (for example Fiji), even where this is just a stopover on the way to New Zealand. AIS data also does not confirm a vessel’s cargo, and reported routes and timings can change due to weather, port congestion, or loading and unloading requirements. While helpful as a reference, publicly available AIS data does not provide a complete, consistent, or verified picture of fuel supply movements.
On water within EEZ
- Esteem Discovery
- Gem Emerald
- Sea Orca
- Sea Odyssey
- STI Virtus
On water outside EEZ
- Chang Hang Fei Yue
- Chang Hang Kai Tuo
- Esteem Houston
- Hafnia Mikala
- High Mariner
- Pacific Sunstone
- PS Sydney
- Stena Convoy
It is important to remember that this is a snapshot at a point in time. Ships are usually on the move and shipping schedules can change frequently due to weather, port congestion and the time it takes to load and unload fuel.
MBIE does not publish ship-level consignment details because fuel importers have told us this is commercially sensitive and provided in confidence. Protecting this confidentiality ensures we continue to get the most detailed system-wide information possible. This allows us to monitor the fuel supply as New Zealanders expect.
MBIE media contact
Email: media@mbie.govt.nz
Data will next be updated on the afternoon of Monday 25 May.