Nigeria’s Dangote refinery has reached a new milestone by exporting its first jet fuel cargo to Europe. This move marks a significant expansion of the refinery’s reach and potential impact on global fuel markets.
British multinational BP is currently transporting the initial shipment, consisting of 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel, onboard the Doric Breeze from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, Nigeria.
This shipment follows BP’s successful bid for a portion of a 120,000 metric ton tender offered by Dangote at the end of May.
Reports suggest that Spanish refiner Cepsa also secured a portion of the tender and is expected to deliver jet fuel to Europe soon. This indicates growing interest from European players in sourcing fuel from the Dangote refinery.
A Dangote representative previously confirmed that the refinery’s jet fuel complies with Europe’s stringent Jet A1 standards. This ensures compatibility with European aircraft fueling systems.
The European shipment underscores the rapid growth and ambitions of the 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery.
It has the potential to disrupt established fuel trade patterns in West Africa, offering a new source of supply for the continent and beyond.
While this is the first European shipment, Dangote has already exported jet fuel/kerosene cargoes to West African nations like Senegal, Togo, and Ghana since April.
Additionally, the refinery has exported naphtha, fuel oil, and gasoil to markets across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
A Dangote representative has indicated that naphtha exports to Europe may decrease soon in preparation for gasoline production. This suggests a potential shift in the refinery’s product mix as it expands its domestic offerings.
European traders have expressed concerns that the influx of jet fuel from Nigeria could exacerbate existing market weakness. However, the long-term impact on European fuel prices remains to be seen.
The Dangote refinery’s rapid expansion and diversification of exports suggest a major player is emerging on the global fuel market.
Its future actions will be closely watched to see how it reshapes regional and international fuel trade flows.
