UNDER a new $46m contract, Viva Energy will manage and maintain the fuel terminal at HMAS Cairns on behalf of the Australian Defence Force, in addition to supplying bulk marine diesel fuel to military vessels in the region.

Viva Energy was selected to maintain and manage the fuel facility as part of a competitive tender process. The contract is for an initial term of six years, with two three-year extension options.

The recent formal handover ceremony was attended by senior Defence personnel, Viva Energy chairman Robert Hill, and CEO Scott Wyatt.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wyatt welcomed Defence’s continued confidence in Viva Energy and acknowledged the strategic partnership between both organisations that has a joint focus on safe and reliable supply security.

“Through the commercialisation of the fuel facility at HMAS Cairns, Viva Energy continues to build our strategic relationship with Defence.”

“We look forward to bringing our expertise in safe and efficient supply chain operations to one of Defence’s important fuel assets, demonstrating the benefits of an industry managed approach,” Mr Wyatt said.

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Commander joint logistics, Rear Admiral Ian Murray welcomed the partnership and the benefits that this collaboration will bring to both Defence and the local industry.

“This is a significant milestone for the Defence Fuel Transformation Program, a $1.1bn investment by the Department of Defence to deliver a safer, simpler and assured Defence fuel network.”

“One key aim of this program is to generate greater industry collaboration across our fuel network,” he said.