ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Seven vessels transporting imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, are scheduled to arrive at seaports across the country between Monday, March 17, and Sunday, March 23.
According to a document obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority on Thursday, these vessels will deliver a total of 115,000 metric tonnes—equivalent to 154.22 million litres—of PMS through three seaports to enhance nationwide fuel supply.
This development comes after recent reports indicated a decline in the landing cost of imported PMS to N797 per litre.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended the sale of petroleum products in naira following stalled negotiations over a naira-for-crude supply agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Domestic crude refiners have expressed concerns over the suspension, describing it as an attempt to frustrate the Dangote refinery and restore full-scale importation of refined petroleum products.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, stated that halting the naira-based crude deal undermines efforts to achieve energy security.
He further alleged that some industry players, unhappy with Dangote Refinery’s steady reduction in petrol prices, were using monopolistic tactics to push for increased fuel importation.
Despite efforts to boost local refining capacity, Nigeria remains dependent on imported refined products.
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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority recently noted that the country’s three operational refineries contribute less than 50% of its daily petrol consumption, with imports covering the shortfall.
An analysis of a document from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) shows that imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has arrived at three key seaports: the Tincan Port in Lagos, Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos, and the Calabar Port in Cross River State.
The document also revealed that the Dangote Refinery imported 654,766 metric tonnes of crude oil within the same period.
The first shipment, carrying 20,000 metric tonnes of PMS allocated to the West African Port Services, berthed at the Dangote Terminal on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 4:03 PM.
On the same day, two vessels carrying 20,000 metric tonnes each arrived at the Tincan and Calabar seaports.
Another shipment, a 20,000 metric-tonne Watson vessel, arrived at the Ecomarine Terminal on Thursday, March 20, at 3:18 PM, handled by Kach Maritime.
A Binta Saleh vessel was scheduled to arrive at Tincan Port with 5,000 metric tonnes of imported petrol on Friday, March 21, at midnight.
The following day, Saturday, March 22, at 11:06 AM, another vessel carrying 15,000 metric tonnes of fuel was set to berth at the Calabar Port, assigned to Peak Shipping.
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At the same port, another 15,000 metric-tonne vessel was expected to arrive at the Ecomarine Terminal on Sunday at 5:10 PM.
In total, the seven vessels are expected to deliver 115,000 metric tonnes of petrol, translating to approximately 154.22 million litres based on a conversion rate of 1,341 litres per metric tonne.
Meanwhile, depot owners have continued to increase the loading cost of petrol and other refined petroleum products.
Data obtained on Thursday showed that Rainoil Depot raised its price from N835 to N860 per litre, while MEN Depot, despite not making sales the previous day, also increased its price to N860 per litre.
Pinnacle Depot followed suit, raising its price from N835 to N860 per litre.
Aiteo and Nipco adjusted their prices to N856 and N860 per litre, respectively, from N835.