First shipment of petrol from Dangote refinery lands in US

In what was described as a major development in the global energy markets, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals has successfully exported its first shipment of gasoline to the United States. Commodities giant Vitol and North American distributor Sunoco are said to be taking delivery this week—marking a new chapter in Africa’s role as an emerging […]

In what was described as a major development in the global energy markets, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals has successfully exported its first shipment of gasoline to the United States.

Commodities giant Vitol and North American distributor Sunoco are said to be taking delivery this week—marking a new chapter in Africa’s role as an emerging fuel exporter.

The tanker Gemini Pearl delivered approximately 320,000 barrels of gasoline to Sunoco’s terminal in Linden, New Jersey, on Monday, according to Reuters.

The milestone was recorded in one year of the refinery’s operation with the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote insisting the refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s national demand.

The cargo was sourced from the Dangote refinery—one of the largest in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day—and traded through Geneva-based Mocoh Oil.

The shipment confirms that the refinery’s output meets stringent U.S. fuel quality standards, a key concern for international buyers.

Vitol, the world’s largest independent oil trader, purchased the cargo and sold the majority to Sunoco.

Two additional shipments are already underway: one sold by Glencore to Shell, expected September 19, and another by Vitol scheduled for arrival around September 22.

 

…4000 CNG trucks to create 24,000 jobs

Meanwhile, the newly 4000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks have been estimated to provide 24,000 jobs for drivers and motor boys.

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote stated this while fielding questions from newsmen at the refinery, stressing that each truck requires the service of a driver and three motor boys.

He expressed his firm’s commitment to employ Nigerians, thereby contributing to further reducing the country’s unemployment rate.

The billionaire emphasized on the freedom of association, saying his company respects trade unions, but membership is a personal choice for each driver.

“We are not trying to take anybody out of the market. These trucks that we launched didn’t stop anybody from their work. They are saying there will be a loss of jobs, will our own tankers be driven by robots?

“We have not displaced any jobs; we are creating many more,” he said.

He highlighted the company’s welfare packages for its drivers, saying the company prioritises their needs by providing them life, health insurance and pension after retirement.

“Our employees earn salaries three times the minimum wage. Our drivers receive a living wage, life insurance, health insurance covering themselves, their spouses, and up to four children, as well as a lifelong pension. We are not only employing drivers but also mechanics, fleet managers, and other professionals to support the CNG fleet,” he said.

He further revealed that the company’s CNG truck drivers can apply for and get a housing loan after five years of working and not being involved in any accident, and that it is optional for them to join the Union.

He noted that the refinery has sufficient capacity to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand while also generating foreign exchange through exports.