Petrol imports continue despite Dangote refinery supply, vessel data shows
By Aboki Forex —
Nigerian oil marketers are still importing large volumes of petrol even as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery ramps up domestic supply. Vessel movement data shows international imports and local refining running side by side.
Multiple tankers are arriving at terminals in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar with thousands of metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from international sources. Dangote Refinery has also dispatched coastal cargoes to Warri and Calabar, according to the latest data monitored by Petroleumprice.ng.
Imported cargoes landing in Lagos
Tanker LAUSU arrived on September 4 carrying 31,000 metric tonnes of PMS for AA Rano. The vessel berthed at Ibafon on September 5 and began discharging part of its cargo, with an 18,000-tonne balance due for discharge on September 9.
HAFNIA COUGAR arrived at Lagos with 20,000 tonnes of PMS for Vitol/Emadeb and was scheduled to berth on September 9. MATRIX PRIDE is expected to arrive on September 11 with a further 20,000 tonnes of PMS for Matrix Energy at Wosbab, although its berthing date has not yet been confirmed.
Dangote cargoes moving to coastal terminals
Not all tracked vessels carry imported products. The vessel BORA arrived in Warri on September 6 with 15,000 tonnes of PMS loaded at the Dangote Refinery and berthed at Pinnacle on September 7, where it was already discharging. A second vessel, ASHABI, arrived in Warri carrying 10,000 tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also sourced from the refinery.
In Calabar, LESTE is scheduled to berth on September 9 with 20,000 tonnes of PMS loaded at Dangote Refinery. This shows the refinery is distributing products to coastal markets beyond Lagos.
Dangote opens sales to all marketers
The 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery reached full capacity earlier in 2026 and has emerged as a major domestic supplier. Reuters reported that the facility was running at full capacity and had benefited from disruptions to global fuel supply chains.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has also opened the sale of petrol to all licensed marketers, ending its previous consortium marketing arrangement. The refinery said all qualified marketers can now purchase products directly from its loading gantry, widening access to locally refined petrol and allowing more participants to source fuel without going through intermediary arrangements.
Industry stakeholders said the policy shift is expected to encourage greater competition among marketers, depot operators and fuel importers as buyers increasingly turn to the refinery for supplies.