As petrol prices rise, fuel vessels are arriving at Lagos ports. These shipments aim to ease supply pressure across Nigeria’s downstream sector. Between March 14 and 17, several vessels carry petrol and diesel cargoes. In total, they transport about 129,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum products.
According to port data, Mosunmola delivered 20,000MT of petrol on March 14. Similarly, Kobe discharged 22,000MT of diesel at Tin Can Island Port. Furthermore, Bora and Ashabi are scheduled to deliver additional cargoes on March 17. Meanwhile, Oluwajuwonlo offloaded petrol at Calabar ports to support regional supply.
However, these arrivals come amid rising fuel prices nationwide. Recently, Dangote Refinery increased its gantry price to N1,175 per litre. Consequently, retail petrol prices now exceed N1,200 across many locations. This increase has raised transport costs and worsened inflation pressures.
Meanwhile, regulators insist no new petrol import licences were issued this year. They explained that current shipments rely on previously approved licences. Additionally, delays at sea contributed to the late arrival of these vessels. Marketers, however, remain ready to distribute available products efficiently.
Industry stakeholders continue to debate the role of fuel imports. Some support imports to bridge supply gaps and stabilise the market. Others argue that local refining should meet national demand sustainably. Despite progress, Nigeria still faces a gap between production and consumption. Ultimately, fuel supply stability remains critical as economic pressures intensify nationwide.
