Nigeria is expected to receive about 154.2 million litres of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, this week as five vessels carrying fuel 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 (NPA).
The development comes despite a rise in domestic refining capacity, suggesting that petroleum marketers are still relying on imports to complement local fuel production and meet market demand.
The latest fuel imports follow the decision by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to resume the sale of petrol in naira. According to a refinery official, the move was aimed at preventing fuel shortages and stabilising prices after some importers allegedly withheld products in anticipation of higher market prices.
Analysis of the NPA’s shipping schedule shows that four of the vessels will discharge their cargoes at the KLT Phase 3A terminal in Tin Can Island, while the fifth vessel is expected at the North West Petroleum & Gas terminal in Calabar. Together, the vessels are carrying 115,000 metric tonnes of PMS, equivalent to approximately 154.2 million litres using the industry’s standard conversion factor.
The vessel LESTE is scheduled to arrive with 30,000 metric tonnes of petrol, while BORA will deliver 10,000 metric tonnes. Two additional vessels, ST ILHAAM and STELLAR, are each expected to offload 30,000 metric tonnes at the Lagos terminal. Meanwhile, SL AREMU will discharge 15,000 metric tonnes of PMS at the Calabar facility.
READ ALSO: FG Rejects Marketers’ Old Stock Excuse For High Petrol Prices
The NPA schedule also listed STELLAR at the Dangote terminal in Lekki Deep Sea Port with its cargo status marked “INB,” indicating the vessel is in ballast and not carrying cargo, suggesting it may be preparing to load products rather than discharge them.
Industry stakeholders say the continued inflow of imported petrol reflects the realities of Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market, where marketers are free to source products from either local refineries or international suppliers based on pricing and commercial considerations.
Although increased production from the Dangote Refinery and the rehabilitation of government-owned refineries have strengthened local refining capacity, imported fuel remains an important part of the country’s supply chain. Marketers have attributed the trend to competition, supply security and price dynamics in the liberalised market.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has maintained that the downstream sector remains open to all qualified operators, with fuel prices expected to remain market-driven under the deregulated regime. Recent industry data also indicate that imported petrol continues to account for a portion of Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption despite growing domestic production.