Dangote Refinery Exports First Petrol Cargo to U.S. as Global Demand Surges
The Dangote Refinery has shipped its first petrol cargo to the United States, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s refined products trade. Data from global analytics firm Kpler and market sources confirmed the development.
The vessel Gemini Pearl loaded about 300,000 barrels of gasoline from the refinery in Lekki on August 26 and is now en route to the U.S., with plans to possibly offload at the Port of New York or New Jersey.
This is the first recorded Nigerian petrol shipment to the United States. However, Dangote has previously exported consignments to other regions, including three LR2 cargoes in June and July—two to the Middle East Gulf and one to Singapore.
Analysts suggest the move reflects an arbitrage strategy, as U.S. Atlantic Coast gasoline prices (RBOB) have surged amid limited stockpiles in PADD 1 (East Coast). Dangote has also supplied the Middle East Gulf during shortages, underscoring its growing role as a flexible player in global fuel markets. Traders further noted that Europe could emerge as a destination if refining efficiency improves at the plant’s residual fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) unit.
Meanwhile, global oil prices rose on Tuesday, with Brent crude climbing 1.63% to $69.26 per barrel and WTI gaining 2.78% to $65.79 per barrel. The increase has pushed ex-depot petrol prices higher in Nigeria. In Lagos, Rainoil and NIPCO pegged petrol at ₦850 per litre, while Matrix sold at ₦865 in Warri and ₦870 in Calabar. In Port Harcourt, Sigmund set its price at ₦870 per litre.
