A Nigerian sailor has narrated why international-going ships avoid purchasing fuel from Nigeria whenever they visit the country’s ports.
According to the story posted on the sailor’s X page (@GodsgreatG), fuel marketers in Nigeria usually mix the MG with water and other liquids to inflate the volume.
He confirmed, “I’ve seen this firsthand”.
“Do you know why international-going ships don’t take bunkers (buying HFO—heavy fuel oil or MGO—marine gas oil) from Nigeria when they visit our ports? Instead, they sail to places like Gabon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, or Europe to buy. It’s because when they buy from Nigerian vendors, the fuel is often mixed with water and other liquids just to pad the volume. And this isn’t good for the ship engines.”
He also gave another instance about ship chandlers and their sharp practices. According to the Port Harcourt Sailor and face behind The Sailor Lounge, the chandlers who supply provisions, particularly food, usually reduce the amount of food ordered in the hope that the crew will not assess the supply since they are usually in a hurry.
“If you order 200kg of garri or goat meat for instance, they’ll bring 150kg and invoice you for 200kg, hoping you won’t bother weighing it because it’s a vessel and time is tight.”
While emphasising that the revelation is not “about de-marketing Nigeria”, he noted, “this is simply the reality of what they do”.
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