Dangote Refinery makes history with first jet fuel shipment to Europe

Africa’s largest oil refinery, Dangote Refinery, reached a significant milestone with the successful shipment of its inaugural jet fuel cargo to Europe, marking another achievement for the rapidly scaling complex launched in April 2023.

Loaded onto the “Doric Breeze” vessel, the shipment departed from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th and is en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands, as reported by S&P Global Commodities at Sea data.

The cargo, comprising 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.

This shipment underscores Dangote’s recent accomplishments. The refinery has already exported six jet fuel/kerosene cargoes, all destined for Senegal, Togo, or Ghana.

Dangote anticipates commencing its first gasoline supplies in June, with ultra-low sulfur diesel set for eligibility for export to Europe by the third quarter.

Thus far, Dangote has exported naphtha, fuel oil, and gasoil to markets in Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, naphtha exports may soon be curtailed to facilitate gasoline production, a Dangote representative informed Commodity Insights on May 20th.

Despite currently pushing approximately four naphtha cargoes to Europe monthly, volumes could be reduced to prioritize domestic gasoline blending once the plant’s fluid catalytic cracker becomes operational.