Bulk Oil Distributors slam NPA over illegal vessel docking
The Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) has condemned the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), accusing the regulator of flagrantly disregarding a presidential directive and undermining Ghana’s petroleum supply chain integrity.
In a sharply worded released Tuesday, the CBOD claimed that the NPA’s unilateral decision to approve the berthing and discharging of the MT Marlin Ametrine at Tema Port on Monday, June 23, 2025, defies a directive from the President and violates the sector’s coordinated importation framework.
“This is a serious affront to regulatory integrity and undermines the progress made in the industry in recent years. Allowing this vessel to berth outside the agreed schedule sets a dangerous precedent,” the Chamber warned.
Disruptions to Laycan Schedule Spark Industry Tensions
At the heart of the dispute is the Laycan import schedule, a timetable developed through stakeholder consultations to ensure the orderly and secure berthing of petroleum cargoes in Ghana.
According to CBOD, the NPA has revised this schedule at least eleven times in 2025 alone, four times in Q1 and seven times in Q2, without proper consultation.
Each revision affects up to ten cargoes, creating bottlenecks that have led to cumulative delays of up to 30 days per revision, the Chamber said.
These disruptions have resulted in over USD40 million in demurrage and related costs between January and June 2025. These losses are borne by Bulk Import, Distribution, and Export Companies (BIDECs) and ultimately passed on to consumers through increased pump prices.
Allegations of Political Interference and Foreign Influence
In its statement, CBOD alleged that the latest incident involving the MT Marlin Ametrine was facilitated by a group of Nigerian traders, recently displaced by the operations of the Dangote Oil Refinery, who are now allegedly working through politically connected intermediaries in Ghana.
“It is a flagrant attempt to circumvent established protocols for narrow, selfish interests, and we urge the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to intervene immediately,” the CBOD stated.
The Chamber claims it had already raised concerns in a formal petition to the Presidency on June 12, 2025, outlining the adverse impact of these arbitrary changes on operational efficiency and fuel price stability.
According to CBOD, the President subsequently instructed the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to ensure strict adherence to the Laycan schedule. However, the NPA allegedly disregarded the directive, proceeding with the vessel’s berthing despite sector-wide objections.
Call for Accountability and Reform
The Chamber is demanding immediate action from the Ministry and a restoration of order and transparency in the petroleum importation regime.
“We are at risk of reversing years of regulatory progress. The integrity of the scheduling system is non-negotiable if we are to ensure price stability, supply predictability, and investor confidence,” the CBOD added.
The group is also calling for a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the MT Marlin Ametrine’s approval and for sanctions against those who facilitated what it described as a breach of national regulatory protocol.
