NNPC has banned 113 oil tankers from the country’s waters, citing a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari, according to a letter circulated by NNPC.
The oil vessels, which include mainly VLCC crude oil tankers, are banned from visiting any Nigerian crude oil terminals and also from Nigerian waters with immediate effect, the letter, dated July 15 states, “pending a notice to the contrary by government.”
The list of banned vessels includes several tankers that have recently called at Nigerian crude oil ports, but also those that have not for years, traders said.
There is no any indication in the letter as to the reason for the ban, but oil traders said it was an effort to crack down on illegal crude oil trading in country.
