Dangote Eyes Chinese Shipyards for New Fleet as Cargo Movements Target 1,800 Annual Calls
Dangote Group is preparing to expand its maritime operations by acquiring new vessels, with Chinese shipyards being considered as the group positions itself for a sharp increase in cargo movements linked to its growing industrial operations.
Group Vice President for Oil, Gas and Fertiliser Devakumar Edwin said the company was considering ordering vessels from China and planned to engage directly with shipbuilders as it develops its maritime capacity.
Dangote currently handles about 300 vessel calls a year, but this could increase to as many as 1,800 annually as its cement, sugar, flour, refining, fertiliser and petrochemical businesses expand.
China is the world’s largest shipbuilding country and accounted for 54.6% of global shipbuilding output in 2024, according to UNCTAD data cited in industry reporting. Chinese shipyards also held almost two-thirds of the global shipbuilding order book at the beginning of 2025.
The planned fleet expansion is closely linked to Dangote’s refining and petrochemical operations in Nigeria.
The Dangote refinery currently has a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, with the group planning to increase capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2029.
Higher refinery output would increase the volume of crude oil, petroleum products, fertiliser and other commodities requiring maritime transportation between Nigeria and international markets.
Dangote’s push into vessel ownership also reflects broader constraints in Nigeria’s shipping sector.
The group has previously indicated that a shortage of suitable vessels has affected its ability to move exports, prompting it to consider building its own fleet.
Edwin said new vessels could be delivered from Chinese shipyards from around 2029, although the final number and types of vessels to be ordered have not been disclosed.
The investment would give Dangote greater control over the transportation of its expanding cargo volumes while supporting the group’s wider strategy of integrating its industrial, logistics and maritime operations.
