Nigeria is set to receive about 115,000 metric tonnes of imported Premium Motor Spirit, equivalent to roughly 154.2 million litres, this week as five fuel vessels prepare to berth at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos and Calabar Port, according to the latest shipping schedule released by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The planned deliveries come despite growing domestic refining capacity, suggesting that fuel marketers are still relying on imports to supplement local supply.
The fresh wave of imports also follows the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s recent announcement that it would resume selling petrol in naira, after alleging that some importers had been deliberately withholding stock in anticipation of price increases.
A source at the refinery, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision to halt dollar-denominated fuel sales was not because crude oil supply issues had been resolved, but was instead taken to protect the country from potential fuel scarcity and further price hikes. The source said importers had been holding back supply while waiting for prices to rise, prompting the refinery to switch back to naira-based sales in the national interest.
Shipping records reviewed by The PUNCH show that four of the five vessels will discharge cargo at the KLT Phase 3A terminal in Tin Can Island, while the fifth will berth at the North West Petroleum & Gas terminal in Calabar. Combined, the vessels are expected to deliver 115,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol between Monday and Tuesday.
According to the schedule, the vessel LESTE is expected to arrive at KLT Phase 3A on Monday with 30,000 metric tonnes of petrol, handled by Prescott Shipping Services Limited. Also arriving Monday is BORA, carrying 10,000 metric tonnes, managed by Rehdor Logistics Solution.
ST ILHAAM is scheduled to berth on Tuesday with 30,000 metric tonnes, while STELLAR is expected on Wednesday with another 30,000 metric tonnes, both handled by Peak Shipping Services Limited. In Calabar, the vessel SL AREMU is due to arrive on Tuesday with 15,000 metric tonnes, with Katrina Shipping listed as its agent.
A separate entry showed STELLAR also listed at the Dangote terminal in Lekki Deep Sea Port with an arrival date of July 24, but marked “in ballast,” indicating the vessel was not carrying cargo and may have been preparing to load products rather than discharge them.
Using an industry conversion rate of about 1,341 litres per metric tonne, the total imported volume translates to roughly 154.2 million litres. This includes about 40.23 million litres each from LESTE, ST ILHAAM, and STELLAR, 13.41 million litres from BORA, and 20.12 million litres from SL AREMU.
The continued imports come as Nigeria operates a liberalised downstream petroleum market, allowing marketers to source products locally or internationally depending on pricing and supply conditions. While the expansion of the Dangote refinery and rehabilitation of government-owned refineries have significantly boosted domestic production, marketers say imports remain necessary due to competition, supply security, and pricing dynamics under the deregulated system.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has maintained that the downstream market remains open to all qualified operators, with product prices expected to stay cost-reflective in line with market conditions.
