Nigeria to Import 154m Litres of Petrol Despite Rising Local Refining Capacity

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria will receive about 154.2 million litres of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) this week despite increased domestic refining capacity driven by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The latest Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) shipping schedule shows that five petrol-laden vessels carrying a combined 115,000 metric tonnes of PMS are expected to berth at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos and Calabar Port between Monday and Wednesday.

The continued inflow of imported petrol highlights how marketers are balancing local supplies with overseas purchases based on pricing, availability and commercial considerations, even as domestic refining capacity expands.

According to the NPA’s Daily Shipping Schedule – Vessels Expected, four vessels will discharge their cargoes at the KLT Phase 3A terminal in Tin Can Island, while one vessel is scheduled to berth at the North West Petroleum & Gas terminal in Calabar.

The vessel LESTE is expected to arrive on Monday with 30,000 metric tonnes of PMS, equivalent to about 40.23 million litres, while BORA will deliver 10,000 metric tonnes, or approximately 13.41 million litres, to the same terminal.

On Tuesday, ST ILHAAM is scheduled to discharge another 30,000 metric tonnes (about 40.23 million litres), followed by STELLAR, which is expected on Wednesday with an additional 30,000 metric tonnes, also translating to roughly 40.23 million litres.

At Calabar Port, SL AREMU is expected to berth on Tuesday with 15,000 metric tonnes of PMS, equivalent to approximately 20.12 million litres, at the North West Petroleum & Gas terminal.

The shipping schedule also lists STELLAR at the Dangote terminal in Lekki Deep Sea Port with an arrival date of July 24.

However, its cargo status is marked “INB”, indicating the vessel is in ballast and not carrying cargo, suggesting it may be positioning to load refined products rather than discharge them.

The latest imports come as Nigeria continues to operate a liberalised downstream petroleum market that allows marketers to source products from either domestic refineries or international suppliers.

Industry operators have consistently argued that imports remain necessary to guarantee supply, encourage competition and take advantage of favourable pricing opportunities.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has also maintained that the market remains open to all qualified operators, with fuel prices expected to reflect prevailing market conditions.

Although local refining output has risen significantly following the ramp-up of the 700,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery and ongoing rehabilitation of government-owned refineries, imported petrol continues to account for a portion of Nigeria’s fuel supply, reflecting the competitive dynamics of the deregulated market.