Fresh supplies of petrol and diesel are arriving at major coastal terminals in Lagos and Warri, offering a potential boost to fuel availability as petroleum marketers move to replenish their inventories. Several vessels carrying thousands of metric tonnes of refined petroleum products have either berthed, discharged their cargoes or are scheduled to arrive at terminals across the two cities.
According to the latest tanker position report monitored by Petroleumprice.ng, Lagos remains the country’s busiest receiving hub, with vessels scheduled to berth at terminals including Petroleum Wharf Apapa, Stockgap, Ibafon, Rain Oil and Pinnacle. Among the major petrol cargoes is the 61,000-metric-tonne Brands Hatch, which reportedly arrived on August 11 and berthed at Pinnacle the following day, with BP Oil listed as the receiver. Other vessels include LIAN XI LU, carrying 33,000 MT of petrol, and ST Lady Doyin, with 37,000 MT.
Warri is also receiving fresh petrol supplies, with vessels such as Princess Oge and Matrix Pride delivering a combined 30,000 MT of petrol. Princess Oge, which was loaded at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, arrived in the country on August 10 and berthed at RainOil in Warri the following day. Meanwhile, Matrix Pride, carrying 15,000 MT, was scheduled to berth at Matrix, with Matrix Energy listed as the receiver.
Diesel supplies are also increasing across Lagos terminals, with several vessels bringing in significant volumes of Automotive Gas Oil. Bise, carrying 13,000 MT of diesel, was discharging at Petroleum Wharf Apapa, while ELLIE M II, loaded at the Dangote refinery, is carrying 11,000 MT for delivery at Ibafon. Additional diesel cargoes include ST WALGA, carrying 20,000 MT, while Hudson is expected to deliver 20,000 MT of diesel alongside 5,000 MT of aviation turbine kerosene. Fresh LPG supplies are also arriving, including the Alfred Temile, which carried 13,000 MT from the Nigeria LNG facility in Bonny.
The increased movement of petrol, diesel and LPG cargoes is expected to improve short-term product availability in Lagos and Warri, but industry players say prices will continue to depend on factors such as international crude oil prices, replacement costs, shipping schedules and how quickly products are discharged and evacuated from terminals. For consumers, the bigger question remains whether the stronger supply will translate into lower pump prices, particularly as global market pressures and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continue to influence the cost of petroleum products.
source: punch
