Saudi Arabia is ramping up diesel exports to West Africa, even as Nigeria’s Dangote refinery continues to reshape regional fuel trade flows.
Fresh shipping data shows three vessels booked from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port in September. BP chartered the Kastos to load 90,000 tonnes on September 10 and the Sinbad for another 90,000 tonnes on September 5, while ExxonMobil’s Seaviver booked the Al Khatm for a similar cargo on September 13.
If all three shipments reach West Africa in October, Kpler data indicates it will be the highest monthly diesel volume Saudi Arabia has ever sent to the region.
West Africa has already imported 383,000 tonnes of Saudi diesel between January and August, with total inflows expected to hit 500,000 tonnes this year. Most shipments travel via the Mediterranean to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Houthi rebel attacks pose risks.
The surge comes as Russian and Indian supplies shrink. Nayara Energy’s 400,000 bpd Vadinar refinery exported 189,000 tonnes of diesel to West Africa earlier in 2025 but cut back after June, following EU sanctions and stronger domestic demand. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have reduced flows from the Black Sea, with no Russian diesel booked for West Africa in September or October, down from typical volumes of 215,000–580,000 tonnes.
The tightening supply picture has already pushed up diesel prices in the West Mediterranean and northwest Europe. Market watchers say that if shortages persist, Saudi Arabia could redirect even more cargoes to Europe, even as Dangote refinery asserts its growing dominance across West Africa’s fuel market.