Calabar and Warri ports recorded an uncommon spike in petroleum traffic over the past several days with midstream operators handling more than 91,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as fuel import activity intensified across the country.
Port-log data obtained from industry channels shows that both port corridors processed multiple PMS consignments within a short operational cycle.
Market sources attributed the heightened activity to increased import scheduling by fuel marketers, who have accelerated shipments ahead of anticipated adjustments in regulatory charges next year.
Calabar Port accounted for a substantial share of the inflow as operators received consecutive batches of petrol through established depots servicing the eastern supply network.
Shipping agents confirmed that the port handled sizeable volumes routed through private terminals, reflecting its growing relevance as an alternative distribution hub.
Warri Port also posted strong throughput during the same period, processing multiple vessel calls through midstream operators responsible for distributing PMS into the south-south and mid-west regions.
The operational tempo at the port was notably higher than typical traffic levels, with depots activating extended discharge windows to accommodate the increased flow of products.
Downstream analysts say the unusual traffic underscores a strategic shift by marketers toward diversifying port usage to minimise congestion risks and speed up deliveries.
With petroleum logistics concentrated heavily in Lagos, operators have increasingly leveraged Calabar and Warri to optimise turnaround times and strengthen regional distribution.
Industry observers also note that fluctuations in ex-depot pricing and expectations of future cost adjustments have influenced marketers’ import strategy, resulting in compressed delivery timelines and a larger number of vessels arriving within the same operational window.
The increased midstream activity, they argue, demonstrates the sector’s responsiveness to short-term market incentives.
The surge in arrivals is expected to support product availability in surrounding states and ease pressure on inland haulage routes.
However, logistics operators caution that sustained traffic at these levels will require continuous improvements in berthing capacity, cargo-handling efficiency, and pipeline connectivity to maintain fluid distribution across the downstream network.
Market participants will be monitoring vessel schedules and depot stock levels in the coming days to determine whether the unusual traffic represents a temporary import rush or an emerging trend in Nigeria’s evolving fuel-supply landscape.
