US Defense Logistics Agency Expanding Maritime Fuel Capacity Amid China Tensions

The US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has announced its intention to enhance its maritime refueling capabilities in the Philippines by seeking contractors in the southern region of Mindanao. This expansion aims to secure a supply of up to 42 million gallons of fuel annually, driven by apprehensions regarding insufficient supply nodes in the scenario of a conflict with China, as reported by the US Naval Institute (USNI).

To facilitate this, the DLA has issued a solicitation that focuses on the Davao Region in Mindanao, targeting facilities and services operated by contractors that would be able to receive, store, and distribute naval distillate grade F76 and aviation grade JP5 fuel. Specific locations under consideration include areas along the western coast of the Davao Gulf, particularly Davao City, Davao del Sur, and Malalag Bay.

These logistical initiatives reportedly stem from concerns about the U.S. military's capacity to maintain operations west of the International Date Line during a potential conflict with China, compounded by the significant distance separating the continental U.S. from the Western Pacific region. In reaction to the strengthening military ties between the U.S. and the Philippines, the Chinese government has publicly articulated its concerns. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Ministry, emphasized that any cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines should not target third parties or escalate regional tensions.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Manila recently announced plans for the construction of a new boat maintenance facility in Ulugan Bay, Palawan, which is strategically located opposite the South China Sea. According to project documents, this facility is intended to aid in repairing vessels belonging to the Philippine military. Experts like Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, have remarked on the military implications of establishing such facilities, suggesting they may enhance the U.S. military presence in the area and potentially provoke heightened military activities from the Philippines, increasing the risk of confrontations with China.