Nigeria is set to receive about 115,000 metric tonnes, approximately 154.2 million litres, of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) this week as five fuel-laden vessels are scheduled to berth at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos and Calabar Port, according to the latest shipping schedule of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

The planned arrivals come despite increased domestic refining capacity, indicating that petroleum marketers are continuing to supplement local supply with imported products.

The latest influx of imported petrol also comes days after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a return to the sale of Premium Motor Spirit in naira, alleging that some fuel importers were deliberately holding back their stocks in anticipation of higher prices.

The official, who pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, told our correspondent that the refinery’s decision to halt dollar-denominated fuel sales was not because the issue of crude oil shortages had been resolved.

He said the reversal was taken in the interest of the country to prevent fuel scarcity and further increases in petrol prices. According to him, the importers were deliberately holding back their stocks in anticipation of higher fuel prices.

“We took a decision in the interest of the country to start selling Premium Motor Spirit in naira, since we saw that the importers were holding back their goods, looking for a price rise,” the source said.

The refinery’s claim indicated that imported petrol continued to flow into the country, underscoring the sustained presence of fuel importers in the deregulated downstream market despite rising domestic refining capacity.

An analysis of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s Daily Shipping Schedule – Vessels Expected, obtained by The PUNCH on Monday, showed that four of the vessels are billed to discharge petrol cargoes at the KLT Phase 3A terminal in Tin Can Island, while another vessel will berth at the North West Petroleum & Gas terminal in Calabar.

The shipping schedule showed that the vessels are expected to deliver a combined 115,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol between Monday and Tuesday.

According to the document, the vessel LESTE, with IMO Number 9285720, is expected at the KLT Phase 3A terminal on Monday with 30,000 metric tonnes of PMS. The vessel is being handled by Prescott Shipping Services Limited.

Also expected on Monday is BORA (IMO 9276004), which will berth at the same terminal with 10,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol. The cargo is being handled by Rehdor Logistics Solution.

The schedule further showed that ST ILHAAM (IMO 9278480) is expected to arrive at KLT Phase 3A on Tuesday carrying 30,000 metric tonnes of PMS, while STELLAR (IMO 9288928) is expected on Wednesday with another 30,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol. Both vessels are being handled by Peak Shipping Services Limited.

In Calabar, the vessel SL AREMU (IMO 9293947) is scheduled to berth at the North West Petroleum & Gas Company terminal on Tuesday with 15,000 metric tonnes of PMS. Katrina Shipping is listed as the vessel’s agent.

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

However, the cargo status was marked “INB,” an industry notation commonly used to indicate that the vessel is in ballast and is not carrying cargo, suggesting it may be preparing to load products rather than discharge them.

A further analysis of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s Daily Shipping Schedule revealed that importing marketers will bring in approximately 154.2 million litres of petrol this week through five vessels scheduled to berth at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos and Calabar Port.

The vessels are expected to discharge a combined 115,000 metric tonnes of imported PMS, equivalent to about 154,215,000 litres, using the industry conversion factor of approximately 1,341 litres per metric tonne.

The NPA shipping schedule showed that the vessel LESTE is expected to discharge 30,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, equivalent to approximately 40.23 million litres, at the KLT Phase 3A terminal in Tin Can Island Port.

Also expected at the same terminal is BORA, carrying 10,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol, translating to about 13.41 million litres.

The vessel ST ILHAAM is scheduled to berth on Tuesday with another 30,000 metric tonnes of PMS, equivalent to roughly 40.23 million litres, while STELLAR is expected to deliver an additional 30,000 metric tonnes, also translating to about 40.23 million litres.

At Calabar Port, SL AREMU is billed to discharge 15,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol at the North West Petroleum & Gas terminal, equivalent to approximately 20.12 million litres of PMS.

The latest shipment comes as Nigeria continues to operate a liberalised downstream petroleum market, allowing marketers to source products from both domestic refineries and international suppliers, depending on pricing and supply considerations.

Although the commencement of large-scale production by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and rehabilitation efforts at government-owned refineries have boosted local refining capacity, imports of petrol have continued to complement domestic supply.

Marketers have attributed the continued imports to market competition, supply security and pricing dynamics under the deregulated regime, where marketers are free to procure products from the most commercially viable sources.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has repeatedly maintained that the country’s downstream market remains open to all qualified operators and that petroleum product prices should remain cost-reflective in line with prevailing market conditions.

Data from recent industry reports also show that imported petrol still accounts for a share of Nigeria’s daily fuel supply, although domestic production has increased significantly following the expansion of local refining operations.