Motorists in some major Australian cities have been limited in their access to fuel as concerns grow over the impact of the Middle East conflict on oil markets.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed on Thursday that 608 petrol stations were suffering from a shortage of at least one type of fuel, amounting to eight per cent of all fuel stations in the country.

Independent petrol stations in regional Australian towns have been struggling with fuel supply for weeks. Customers at a Shell-branded Viva station on Sydney’s Northern Beaches were limited to 50 litres per vehicle and jerry cans and external tanks banned due to shortages, The Australian reported.

The average price of 91 unleaded has soared to 256.1c a litre, while diesel is at 312.1c.

Mr Bowen has said that fuel supply issues are being caused by a sudden spike panic buying, The Mail reported.

“We have as much fuel in Australia today as we had on the day Iran was attacked. We have had real issues, particularly in regional Australia, getting fuel to where demand has been very high,” he said.

“We’ve seen very big spikes in demand. Some of that has been panic buying. Some people are trying to get ahead of expected price rises. Some farmers are stocking up, which is understandable.”

“But the fact is, if demand suddenly jumps dramatically, whether it’s for petrol, diesel or even toilet paper, supply chains come under pressure.”

The minister said the country had received all expected fuel shipments so far, but six deliveries scheduled for April had been cancelled. Some have been replaced by alternative sources as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one fifth of global oil traded, continue.

Mr Bowen said 74 of the 80 fuel shipments expected across April and May were still on track to arrive.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has rocked oil markets since it started one month ago. Blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, the targeting of energy infrastructure and comments by leaders in the conflict have left investors rattled and impacted on supply constraints.

Australia imports around 90 per cent of its refined fuel from overseas. Suppy comes mainly from Asia, but those countries source much of their crude oil from the Middle East.

Mr Bowen said contingency plans are in place to manage supply risks if the conflict continues for several weeks, but rationing remains unlikely.

“We have also said there are international supply risks going forward, but we are pretty well placed to deal with those risks. There is a range of actions available to government. Rationing would be an absolute worst-case planning measure. It’s not on the agenda,” he said.

He has also ruled out a controversial $40 fuel purchase cap. The cap was outlined in a 2019 national emergency fuel shortage response, which has resurfaced in recent days.

“To introduce something like that, you would have to declare a national fuel emergency, which has never been done. I’ve already said I don’t envisage doing that. So it’s really not on the agenda,” he said.