Here’s when the fuel ships en route to New Zealand arrive
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
This article was originally published on April 13. It has been updated to reflect the latest information as of May 14.
Seven fuel ships that can be tracked are on their way to New Zealand, according to publicly available information from an economist who monitors crude oil, fuel and petrochemical supplies.
That compares with the 12 ships the Government reports are either in New Zealand waters or up to three weeks away.
One tanker being tracked by Macquarie University economist Lurion De Mello as of May 13 is listed as carrying petrol, one jet fuel and diesel, and five clean petroleum product. (Some ships carry more than one type of fuel). One ship, the Sea Orca, is discharging its jet fuel load. The last ship being tracked by De Mello is due to arrive on May 30.
The 12 ships listed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as being on the way to New Zealand as of Sunday May 10 include two within our EEZ - Gem Emerald and Grand Winner 3 . (De Mello’s data has these two discharged and no longer in New Zealand’s waters.)
MBIE puts the number still en route to New Zealand at ten - Chang Hang Fei Yue, Chang Hang Kai Tuo, Esteem Discovery, High Mariner, Maersk Crete, Pacific Sunstone, Sea Odyssey, Sea Orca, Stena Convoy and STI Virtus - as of last Sunday.
The number en route, according to MBIE, has decreased since the start of the Middle East crisis - from a high of 16 at the beginning of April to just 12 now.
The two lists differ due to timing but also some ships like Maersk Crete and Pacific Sunstone are travelling to New Zealand via Fiji and so don’t necessarily show up on De Mello’s tracking until they head to New Zealand. Chang Hang Kai Tuo is also not yet showing up on De Mello’s list.
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In the latest fuel stock update, there are 59 days of petrol, 45.2 of diesel and 50.2 of jet fuel either in the country or on the way. That's compared with the previous update: 51 days of petrol, 44.3 of diesel and 54.1 of jet fuel.
“Overall fuel stocks remain well above minimum requirements and within normal ranges,” said the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
“The fuel supply chain continues to operate smoothly, and fuel is flowing into the country as expected.”
The ministry said fuel importers have provided “good confidence” through confirmed orders to late June, with planned orders extending into early August.
In terms of petrol, there were 29.60 days’ worth in country, 5.1 days on water within the Exclusive Economic Zone (up to two days away) and 24.3 days on water outside the EEZ, up to three weeks away.
Diesel stocks consisted of 22.3 days on land, 1.6 days on water within the EEZ and 21.3 days on water outside the EEZ. The stocks of diesel are just under 3 days off the minimum stock holding level of 21 days with the in-country and in the EEZ stocks at 23.9 days.
The Government has shored up diesel supplies from as early as the end of June by contracting with Z Energy for close to 90 million additional litres of diesel, equivalent to around nine days’ supply to be stored at Marsden Point.
Jet fuel stocks were 28.4 days on land, 1.2 days’ worth on water within the EEZ and 20.6 days on water outside the EEZ.
New Zealand remains in phase 1 of the national fuel plan. But the Government has released more information about what would happen if rationing were needed.
Phase four would introduce transaction limits at the pump for the general public, while critical users — including emergency services, health, schools, courts, money services and lifeline utilities — would retain priority and uncapped access.
The next fuel update will be published on Monday May 18.