The Dangote Petroleum Refinery delivered over 400,000 tonnes of jet fuel to Europe in July.
Disclosing this in its latest data, a global commodities intelligence firm Kpler, said shipment accounted for about 20% of the continent’s total jet fuel imports for the month.
The development comes on the heels of a record 466,000 tonnes exported to Europe in June – the month Nigeria first overtook the United States as Europe’s leading supplier of imported aviation fuel.
According to the firm, the back-to-back performance signals a major milestone for the refinery, proving it can consistently meet the stringent quality standards of one of the world’s most demanding fuel markets.
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.
Industry observers say the refinery is rapidly reshaping established Atlantic Basin fuel trade flows by offering a competitive alternative to long standing suppliers. While European buyers have traditionally relied on refiners in the United States, the Middle East and Asia, Dangote’s 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 European markets.
The refinery’s export momentum has been supported 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 company said the latest figures come at a time of shifting global energy flows.
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. Against this backdrop,
Dangote Refinery has emerged as a reliable and competitive supplier, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing importance in global refined products trade against this backdrop.
David Bird, MD/CEO, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, noted that: ‘Beyond aviation fuel, the refinery has continued to expand exports of diesel, gasoline and other refined petroleum products to destinations across Europe, Africa and other international markets, further strengthening Nigeria’s position as a net exporter of high value petroleum products.’