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Port of Lomé
Oil & Gas Potential
West Africa's only true deep-water port: 18.6m draft, STS petroleum hub, Dangote Refinery connection, and the strategic gateway for Oil & Gas operations across the Gulf of Guinea.
18.6m
Channel Depth (Deepest in W/Africa)
30.6M
Tonnes Handled (2024)
2.06M
TEU Containers (2024)
1,525
Ship Calls (2024)
Strategic Importance
Why Lomé is West Africa's Premier Maritime Hub
The Port of Lomé is the only true deep-water port on the West African coast, with an 18.6m access channel capable of handling the world's largest container vessels and VLCCs at full capacity. Lloyd's List ranks Lomé 92nd globally, the only sub-Saharan African port in the global Top 100.
S&P Global describes Dangote and Lomé STS as "the two largest and most important regional hubs of supply in the region as a whole." The port handles over 70% of West Africa's surplus gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel stored on tankers anchored offshore.
With free port/zone status, proven STS trading infrastructure, and proximity to Africa's largest refinery, Lomé is the most strategically positioned port in West Africa for Oil & Gas operations.
Key Advantages
Only deep-water port in West Africa (18.6m draft)
STS petroleum hub: 70%+ of W/Africa surplus fuel
Free port/zone status: customs exempt
Connected to Dangote Refinery (650,000 bpd)
200,000 m³ onshore storage + floating storage
Hub-and-spoke model pioneered by MSC (2014)
Sahel gateway for Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Best operational efficiency in West Africa (DEA 1.000)
Political stability vs. regional competitors
Oil & Gas Infrastructure
Lomé Oil & Gas Terminal Facilities
Tanker Berth
250m long, 16m alongside depth, accommodates vessels up to 65,000 DWT and 270m LOA. Maximum draft 14m for direct berthing.
Oil Jetty (Under Reconstruction)
Berths No. 1 & 2 undergoing reconstruction through 2026. During this period, hydrocarbon vessels redirected to ore wharf with draft restrictions.
STSL Onshore Storage
Société Togolaise de Stockage de Lomé: approximately 200,000 m³ capacity storing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Connected to port oil jetties via pipeline.
Floating Storage
United Petro Group deployed 160,000 MT floating storage terminal (August 2025). Two additional floating storage tankers deployed by March 2026.
Bunkering Services
Fuel oil supply, diesel oil, water, provisions, dirty ballast reception, and limited ship repairs available.
Free Port Status
Goods moved within the port enclave are exempt from customs formalities, enabling rapid ship turnaround and cargo processing.
Port Comparison
Lomé vs. Other West African Ports
| Port | Draft | Max Vessel | Global Ranking | STS Hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lomé | 18.6m | 24,000 TEU | 92nd Global | Yes |
| Tema | ~16m | 14,000 TEU | Top 100 | No |
| Abidjan | ~14m | 8,000 TEU | Not Top 100 | No |
| Cotonou | ~11m | 4,000 TEU | Not Ranked | No |
Dangote Connection
Lomé & Dangote Refinery
The 650,000 bpd Dangote Petroleum Refinery (Lekki, Lagos) and the Offshore Lomé hub are deeply interconnected. Dangote exports refined products to Lomé for redistribution across West and Central Africa.
In March-May 2026, 70-80% of Nigeria's seaborne imported fuel originated from Dangote before redistribution through Lomé. Nigerian fuel marketers increasingly purchase Dangote products via Lomé traders rather than directly from the refinery.
Lomé's deep-water berths can receive fully-laden MR tankers that most West African ports cannot accommodate, making it the natural redistribution point for Dangote's export volumes.
Dangote-Lomé Trade Flows
April 2026
83,600 MT gasoline landed at Offshore Lomé from Dangote (six-month high)
March 2026
65,800 MT refined products exported to Lomé
March 2026
456,000 tonnes shipped in 12 cargoes to 5 African markets via Lomé
May 2026
Dangote became world's largest single exporter of jet fuel
Charter Support
Need Vessel Chartering at Lomé?
Calmwaters provides chartering and port agency support for vessels calling at Lomé and the broader West African region. Contact us for tanker, product carrier, or offshore vessel charter.
Written by Pius Nobei, MBA
CEO, Calmwaters Shipping Ltd
Pius Nobei is the CEO and Founder of Calmwaters Shipping Ltd, an NPA Licensed vessel charter broker based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 15 years of experience in West African maritime trade, Pius specializes in tanker chartering, offshore vessel coordination, and Nigerian port compliance.
Published: January 2026
Updated: August 2026
Reviewed by: Calmwaters Maritime Advisory Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Lomé Port FAQ
Why is the Port of Lomé important for Oil & Gas?
Lomé is the only true deep-water port in West Africa with 18.6m draft, capable of handling VLCCs and large product tankers. It serves as the region's premier STS petroleum trading hub, with 70%+ of West Africa's surplus gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel stored on tankers anchored offshore.
How does Lomé connect to Dangote Refinery?
Dangote Refinery exports refined products to the Lomé offshore STS hub for redistribution. Nigerian fuel marketers increasingly purchase Dangote products via Lomé traders. In March-May 2026, 70-80% of Nigeria's seaborne imported fuel originated from Dangote before redistribution through Lomé.
What is the draft at Port of Lomé?
After dredging completed in September 2025, Lomé's access channel depth is 18.60 metres, making it the deepest port in West Africa. The terminal basin is 17.60m, and the LCT quay depth is 16.60m. It can accommodate vessels up to 24,000 TEU and VLCCs.
What storage capacity does Lomé have?
Lomé has approximately 200,000 m³ of onshore storage (STSL) for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. United Petro Group deployed a 160,000 MT floating storage terminal in August 2025, with two additional floating storage tankers by March 2026.