Dangote Petroleum Refinery says it has overtaken the United States (US) as Europe’s largest jet fuel supplier for the second consecutive month.
The refinery, in a statement on Thursday, said the development underscores its growing influence in international energy markets.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has strengthened its position as a global supplier of premium aviation fuel after emerging as Europe’s largest jet fuel supplier for the second consecutive month, overtaking the United States and underscoring the refinery’s growing influence on international energy markets,” the statement reads.
The refinery said the latest European import data compiled by global commodities intelligence firm, Kpler, showed that more than 400,000 tonnes of jet fuel produced at the refinery were delivered to Europe in July, accounting for about 20 per cent of the continent’s total jet fuel imports during the month.
“The performance follows a record 466,000 tonnes exported to Europe in June, when Nigeria first displaced the United States as the region’s leading supplier of imported jet fuel,” the statement further reads.
“The sustained export performance marks a significant milestone for the refinery, demonstrating its ability to consistently supply one of the world’s most demanding fuel markets with aviation fuel that meets stringent international quality specifications.
“Europe imported approximately 2.06 million tonnes of jet fuel in July, with Dangote accounting for the single largest share of those imports, ahead of traditional suppliers from the United States and the Middle East.”
The refinery said its strategic location on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast, combined with its scale, modern technology and export capability, has enabled it to become an increasingly important source of aviation fuel for Europe, despite the continent’s longstanding reliance on refiners in the United States, the Middle East, and Asia.
Dangote refinery said the export momentum has been driven by steadily rising production.
“Jet fuel loadings at Dangote’s Lekki export terminal reached a record 550,000 tonnes in June, while crude deliveries to the refinery climbed to an all time high of 660,000 barrels per day, providing the throughput required to sustain growing exports of refined petroleum products to international markets,” the statement said.
The latest figures come amid shifting global energy flows, the refinery noted.
“Although Europe received limited volumes of jet fuel from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in July, market disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and evolving geopolitical dynamics have encouraged buyers to diversify supply sources,” the firm said.
“Against this backdrop, Dangote Refinery has emerged as a reliable and competitive supplier, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing importance in global refined products trade.”
David Bird, the chief executive officer of Dangote refinery, said the organisation has expanded exports of diesel, petrol, and other refined petroleum products to markets across Europe, Africa, and other parts of the world, in addition to aviation fuel.
Bird said the exports are reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a net exporter of high-value refined petroleum products.
