EXHAUST OPTIONS RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON THE EXPORT OF UREA IMPACTED AUSTRALIA’S ADBLUE SUPPLIES. GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO KEEP THE NATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT FLEET ON THE MOVE.
N
ews of a diesel exhaust fluid shortage at the end of 2021 had Australia’s trucking industry in a flurry. Transport bodies and government agencies scrambled in the face of what would be a critical supply chain crisis. A global shortage of urea from which diesel exhaust fluid, more commonly known as AdBlue, is refined threatens to sideline thousands of trucks in Australia. The additive helps reduce pollution released into the atmosphere from the exhaust of diesel-powered commercial vehicles. The issue had been exacerbated by China heavily restricting its exports of urea and Australia is the latest nation to likely sustain significant impacts to its supply chain. Western Roads Federation Chief Executive, Cam Dumesny, told radio
52 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 6 3
station 6PR the road transport industry was facing a major problem. “We’re going to need to support our manufacturers, we’ve got about three manufacturers in Australia, we’re going to have to help them find strategic sourcing of the base agent from anywhere in the world if we can get it,” he said. “If we can’t do that you’ve got the worst case scenario … we start rationing it, if you follow the logic of that,” Dumesny continued. “Which areas of transport to you want to prioritise?”
