Vessel Chartering in Nigeria: Crude, Product Tankers, LNG and Offshore Support

Petroleum exporters looking for vessel chartering in Nigeria need a ship that fits the cargo, terminal and delivery window. A crude cargo, a refined-product parcel, LNG and an offshore support assignment require different vessels and technical reviews. Wigmore Trading can assess vessel sourcing and logistics coordination enquiries for Nigeria and West Africa.

Choose the charter around the actual duty

Begin with product, quantity, loading point, destination and date range. Explain whether you need a voyage charter, a longer-term arrangement or a defined offshore task. “Tanker available” is not enough to establish suitability or a commercial commitment.

• Crude cargo: provide grade, parcel, terminal restrictions and buyer vetting requirements. VLCC or Suezmax selection follows the actual route and cargo.
• Product tanker: identify the refined product, segregation needs and quality requirements. Previous cargo and tank suitability matter.
• LNG vessel: provide cargo and receiving-system requirements for specialist compatibility review.
• Coastal tanker: identify Nigerian loading and receiving facilities and required coastal permissions.
• Offshore support: describe the task, location, equipment, personnel and operating envelope.

Vessel identity, condition and terminal acceptance

Qualified marine parties should review dimensions, draft, class, cargo systems, operating records and applicable vetting. Confirm the actual terminal’s acceptance before treating a nomination as workable. A vessel’s published capacity does not prove it can safely load your parcel at a particular berth.

Verify the owner, operator and chartering authority independently. Identify the contracting counterparty and ensure vessel and company details match across the commercial and compliance file. This page is an enquiry guide, not a live fleet list or a claim of ownership.

Coordinate the cargo and the vessel

The charter window must align with product readiness, permits, inspection and receiving capacity. Use our refined fuel export guide when preparing the cargo side of a shipment. Delays often arise when the vessel and cargo are planned as separate projects.

For Lekki, Lagos or another terminal, obtain current instructions from the authorised operator. An enquiry mentioning Dangote or a port does not establish loading access or a confirmed cargo allocation.

LNG and offshore vessel enquiries

An LNG carrier is not interchangeable with a conventional product tanker. A qualified technical review must establish compatibility, transfer arrangements and permissions. For marine fuel rather than LNG cargo, see our LNG bunkering enquiry guide.

Offshore vessel requests should state what the vessel will do, rather than only a preferred vessel label. Agree the technical specification, personnel responsibilities and marine scope before comparing offers.

Freight, laytime and demurrage

Request an offer showing vessel basis, validity, freight scope, loading window and exclusions. Laytime and demurrage depend on the actual charterparty and operational facts. Have qualified chartering and legal advisers review notices, time allowances, exceptions and claims evidence.

Compare total voyage cost, including relevant port, agency, inspection, insurance and transfer services. Define who pays when the cargo, vessel or terminal is delayed. A cheap freight indication can be poor value if the vessel cannot be accepted.

Documentation and specialist cargo rules

Align sale, charter, inspection, banking and transport documents. For packaged dangerous goods, the IMO IMDG Code provides requirements including classification, packing and segregation. Bulk petroleum and gas cargoes need the applicable specialist marine requirements assessed separately; do not apply a packaged-goods checklist to every tanker cargo.

Request a vessel charter assessment

Send Wigmore Trading the cargo or task, quantity, ports or operating area, date range and known restrictions. Include the stage of cargo contracting and vessel acceptance requirements. Availability, rates and binding commitments are confirmed for the specific proposed charter.

Can you guarantee a vessel from an online enquiry?

No vessel is reserved by this page. The nominated ship, authority, suitability and contract terms must be established before commitment.

Related sourcing guides

• Petroleum Services in Lagos: Sourcing, Trading Support and Export Logistics
• Dangote Refinery Supplier Registration: Vendor and Offtake Enquiry Guide

Official references

• IMO dangerous goods code overview

Buyer guidance reviewed 28 October 2026. Images illustrate the topic and do not establish a particular product, factory, vessel or facility as available stock.