Vopak Terminals Australia has secured NSW Government endorsement for a proposed 120,000-cubic-metre aviation fuel infrastructure expansion at Port Botany, aimed at strengthening fuel supply resilience and supporting the future storage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The proposed expansion has been identified as a key project to strengthen New South Wales’ fuel security. It will add storage tanks and pipeline connections to Vopak’s independent, open-access infrastructure, increasing capacity to support aviation fuel supply chains.
Beyond conventional fuel storage, the project is intended to accommodate sustainable aviation fuel, providing infrastructure that could support the aviation sector’s transition towards lower-carbon energy sources. The availability of suitable storage and distribution infrastructure will be an important part of integrating SAF into existing fuel supply networks as production and demand develop.
Infrastructure investment supports aviation decarbonisation
The NSW Government’s Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) endorsement will provide non-financial support to help address project delivery barriers, improve coordination across government and accelerate implementation.
For aviation, fuel infrastructure plays a critical role in maintaining operational continuity, particularly when supply chains face disruption or demand fluctuates. Additional storage capacity can strengthen supply resilience, while open-access infrastructure can provide fuel suppliers and customers with greater flexibility.
The proposed SAF capability also reflects the growing need to develop infrastructure that can accommodate alternative aviation fuels alongside conventional jet fuel. Its contribution to emissions reduction will depend on SAF availability, the fuels ultimately stored and distributed, and their lifecycle emissions characteristics.
Mats de Groot, Managing Director of Vopak Terminals Australia, said the project would support fuel security while preparing infrastructure for changing energy requirements.
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“We are proud to receive the endorsement from the NSW Government. As the energy needs of New South Wales continue to evolve, it is critical that we invest in secure, reliable, and adaptable infrastructure. By expanding as an independent, open-access facility, this project will not only address fuel security issues, but boost market competition to the benefit of Australian consumers. Furthermore, with the capability to store SAF, we are laying vital groundwork for the country’s energy transition,” said de Groot.
The expansion would add to the infrastructure supporting Australia’s aviation fuel supply while establishing potential capacity for SAF as the sector works towards decarbonisation. The project remains a proposed development, with government endorsement intended to help facilitate its delivery.
