Dangote Refinery marked an achievement by successfully exporting its first jet fuel cargo to Europe.
This marks another first for the new complex, which has been rapidly scaling up production since its launch in April 2023.
The inaugural shipment, loaded onto the “Doric Breeze” vessel, departed from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th and is currently en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands, according to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data.
The cargo, containing 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel, was awarded to BP as part of a 120,000-metric-ton tender offered by the refinery. Spanish refiner Cepsa also secured a portion of the tender and is expected to deliver jet fuel to the continent soon.
The jet fuel shipment to Europe is just the latest milestone achieved in the last few months. Dangote has already exported six jet fuel/kerosene cargoes, all delivered to Senegal, Togo, or Ghana.
According to S&P, the company is currently projecting its first gasoline supply. begin in June, with ultra-low-sulfur diesel expected to be eligible for export to Europe by the third quarter.
To date, Dangote has exported naphtha, fuel oil, and gas oil to markets in Europe, Africa, and Asia, though naphtha exports could soon be curtailed to prepare for gasoline production, a representative for Dangote told Commodity Insights on May 20.
Since April, Dangote has been sending around four cargoes of naphtha to Europe each month. However, these volumes might soon decrease to enhance domestic supplies for gasoline blending once the plant’s fluid catalytic cracker becomes operational.
