Nigeria’s aviation fuel market is facing tightening supply conditions, even as fresh data reviewed by Petroleumprice.ng shows that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported a substantial volume of Aviation Turbine Kerosene in April, highlighting a widening disconnect between domestic availability and export activity.
An analysis of loading operations at the refinery indicates that a total of 308,899 metric tonnes of ATK was scheduled for evacuation in April across seven vessels. Of this volume, six vessels had completed loading and departed as of mid April, while one vessel remained pending.
The export flows come at a time when the domestic market has been grappling with constrained supply and rising concerns among aviation operators over product availability.
Detailed shipment records show that the vessel KRITI RUBY loaded 41,974 metric tonnes of ATK for discharge in Lome, Togo, sailing on April 5. This was followed by TORM SUPREME, which lifted 42,701 metric tonnes for Rotterdam on April 7 under an offtake arrangement with BP.
Another cargo, KOKOLIGHT, evacuated 42,000 metric tonnes on April 8, while ARDMORE SEAFOX transported 37,085 metric tonnes to Rotterdam, departing on April 12. The largest single cargo was recorded on TORM INTEGRITY, which lifted 60,000 metric tonnes for an Aramco-linked offtake, sailing on April 16.
Subsequently, AUGENSTERN loaded 41,139 metric tonnes bound for Jorf Lasfar, departing on April 18. A seventh vessel, AGISILAOS, with a planned volume of 44,000 metric tonnes for Lome, was yet to berth or sail as of the reporting period.
The export programme reflects strong international demand, with major global trading and energy firms including Vitol, BP, Aramco, Unipec, and Trafigura participating as offtakers.
However, the scale of exports comes amid mounting concerns within Nigeria’s aviation sector, where operators have reported supply tightness and elevated procurement costs. Industry participants attribute the pressure to a combination of logistics constraints, market dynamics, and supply allocation patterns.
The data suggests that while refinery output is actively finding its way into international markets, domestic distribution remains under strain, reinforcing concerns about supply balance in the aviation fuel segment.
Market observers note that the situation underscores the complexity of managing supply flows between export commitments and local demand, particularly in a period of heightened consumption and limited buffers.
With over 300,000 metric tonnes already moved or scheduled for export within weeks, stakeholders say sustained monitoring of supply allocation will be critical to ensuring stability in Nigeria’s aviation fuel market.