Nigeria has completed its inaugural shipment of Cawthorne crude, exporting a 950,000-barrel cargo loaded from the newly launched FSO Cawthorne and destined for Sikka Port, which supplies major refining centres such as Reliance Industries’s Jamnagar facility.
Aside from its milestone status, the shipment reflects a strategic decision amid increasing volatility in global oil markets.
A spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company confirmed that the first cargo of Cawthorne crude totalling 950,000 barrels was exported over the weekend, according to S&P Global Energy.
Ship-tracking data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea shows the cargo heading to Sikka Port, home to the 1.36 million barrels-per-day Jamnagar refinery owned by Reliance Industries, which has been diversifying crude sources following sanctions on Russian oil and ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The shipment’s timing is notable. Rising friction between the United States and Iran continues to unsettle energy markets, renewing concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz a key route for global oil trade.
Together with existing restrictions on Russian crude, these factors have tightened supply conditions and pushed major importers like India to actively seek alternative sources.
Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s introduction of a new light sweet crude grade arrives at a favourable moment. Cawthorne crude, with an API gravity of roughly 36.4, delivers strong yields of petrol and diesel, placing it in the same high-value category as Bonny Light.
Such alternatives are becoming increasingly attractive for Asian buyers navigating geopolitical uncertainties.
The crude is sourced from Oil Mining Lease 18 in the eastern Niger Delta, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in partnership with Sahara Group and other stakeholders.
Its launch is expected to support Nigeria’s goal of boosting output toward 1.7 million barrels per day, provided operational stability is maintained.
Sahara Group confirmed on March 30 that the first cargo had been lifted over the weekend, citing data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea.
The company added that the offshore facility would play a vital role in enhancing Nigeria’s energy security through dependable production, storage, and export systems.
According to Sahara’s head of commercial and planning, Tosin Etomi, the successful start of crude lifting from the FSO Cawthorne marks a major achievement for the OML 18 partners and highlights the impact of collaboration, technical expertise, and shared vision.
Infrastructure development has also been central to this progress. The FSO Cawthorne Nigeria’s first new crude export terminal in nearly 50 years offers storage capacity of about 2.2 million barrels, reducing reliance on vulnerable onshore pipelines often affected by theft and vandalism.
Overall, Nigeria is capitalising on both timing and improved infrastructure to strengthen its position in global oil markets. As geopolitical shifts reshape trade flows, the Cawthorne export signals a renewed effort by the country to expand market share, attract investment, and reinforce its influence within OPEC.