Viva Energy has partnered up with various organisations as part of their efforts to remain sustainable, especially in air freight.
Viva Energy is accelerating the transition to lower-emission fuels by scaling the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through a series of strategic partnerships across Australia, including the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Virgin Australia, as part of a broader national push to decarbonise air travel.
Produced using renewable resources such as waste oils, agricultural residues and non-food crops, using SAF is an effort by the aviation industry to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to Viva Energy.
The energy hub, located in Geelong, Victoria, includes a gas terminal and projects to support alternative energies such as renewables and hydrogen, as well as the development of strategic storage to improve fuel supply security.
Earlier this year, a deal was signed with the ADF to supply SAF to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for 12 months and partnered with Virgin Australia to source SAF for flights departing from Proserpine, Queensland, between March and July 2025.
Within the same year, Viva Energy secured funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to support its development to supply SAF into Brisbane Airport.
Securing funding from ARENA is an important step towards reducing the carbon footprint in the aviation industry, which is typically recognised as a challenge for the sector as it is currently scarce and expensive, according to Viva Energy.
SAF Infrastructure
Out of the total $4.93 million of AREANA’s SAF Funding Initiative, a funding of $2.39m will be used to refurbish and upgrade existing infrastructure. This includes the reconditioning of a fuel storage tank at the Pinkenba Terminal in Brisbane. The tank will provide dedicated storage for SAF, facilitating its distribution to Brisbane Airport via pipeline.
According to Viva Energy, there are three key objectives on the development of an SAF infrastructure, which include:
- Upgrade the distribution infrastructure and provide future options;
- Fostering growth in customer partnerships;
- Building industry capacity through a pilot program.
“This project is an important step towards developing opportunities to cut emissions from Australian skies, and ARENA will be working to ensure the lessons from it help to inform the broader development of a sustainable aviation fuels industry in Australia,” says Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA.
SAF in a nationwide adoption
To scale the use of SAF, Viva Energy has partnered with various organisations to increase the adoption of SAF. The partnerships tap into various airports across Australia to increase the nationwide use of SAF.
In its agreement with the ADF, Viva Energy will supply up to five per cent of the RAAF’s fuel at East Sale, Victoria. This is also significant for ADF as they reduce carbon emissions without impairing military capability, preparedness or interoperability with allies.
“We are thrilled to expand our SAF supply to East Sale from the initial pilot with the Roulettes to this 12-month trial, benefiting a wide range of RAAF aircraft,” explained Richard Xin, Viva Energy’s General Manager Specialties, Marine and Defence.
Conventional jet fuel is manufactured at the Geelong Refinery and is then transported by pipeline to Newport Terminal, where it is blended with SAF and other elements to produce military-grade SAF turbine fuel. Viva Energy will also be providing logistical, operational, and product technical expertise, while also exploring further SAF opportunities within ADF.
“Viva Energy will provide technical guidance to the RAAF on its energy transition journey while ensuring the safe and continuous supply of sustainable military-grade fuels,” Richard added.
SAF use in Air Freight
Another partnership to scale the use of SAF across Australia is the partnership with Virgin Australia. Under the agreement, Viva Energy will provide Virgin Australia with SAF consisting of Jet A1 and a 30-40 per cent synthetic blend component made from waste and residue feedstocks.
The collaboration will allow Viva Energy to expand its ability to supply SAF-blended jet fuel across Australia while exploring regional SAF delivery, storage and handling. This initiative, according to Viva Energy’s General Manager for Aviation, Nick Adams, is an important step in the establishment of an ongoing supply of SAF for air travel in regional Australia.
“Through this collaboration – and drawing on the strengths of Viva Energy’s national distribution network and experience supplying high-quality fuels and aviation operations – we will be working with Virgin Australia to establish the supply chains that will be critical to the future of the aviation industry,” continued Nick.
“Viva Energy is also delighted to be helping a key partner like Virgin Australia in its sustainability journey.”
These partnerships with the ADF, Virgin Australia, and the support from ARENA are some of the initiatives for a broader commitment to scaling the adoption of SAF across Australia. It paves the way for the industry to step up its efforts toward sustainability.
“Viva Energy is well placed to import and supply SAF. We are already a trusted partner to many aviation customers and our strength lies in deep relationships and a nationwide supply chain backed by the international capability of Vitol,” Nick added.
