The Dangote refinery in Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone by exporting its first jet fuel cargo to Europe, marking a pivotal moment in the global energy market.
On Friday, S&P Global Commodity Insights reported that BP is transporting 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel from the Dangote refinery to Rotterdam via the Doric Breeze. This export marks the refinery’s debut in the European market, following a substantial 120,000 metric ton tender.
The shipment, loaded from Lekki on May 27, highlights the refinery’s rapid production increase and its compliance with European jet A1 standards, potentially altering West African trade flows. Two sources confirmed that the Doric Breeze ship marked the inaugural BP cargo, with Cepsa, the Spanish refiner, also securing part of the tender.
The Dangote refinery, a 650,000 b/d complex, has exported six jet fuel/kerosene cargoes since April 8, all of which were delivered to Senegal, Togo, or Ghana. This development underscores the refinery’s swift operational ramp-up and aims to shake up established West African trade flows. European traders, however, cautioned that the influx of fresh jet fuel from Nigeria could worsen existing market weaknesses due to oversupply.