The Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) has sounded an urgent warning to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) over what it describes as a “credible and verified” attempt by the MT Marlin Ametrine to berth at Ghanaian shores on June 23, 2025—allegedly in violation of its revised laycan schedule.

In an official letter to the NPA, CBOD’s CEO, Dr. Patrick Kwaku Ofori, expressed deep concern that allowing the vessel to dock outside the approved window would not only breach petroleum import protocols but also undermine the authority’s regulatory credibility.

According to the Chamber, its investigations point to a group of Nigerian oil traders, reportedly displaced by the Dangote Oil Refinery, as orchestrators of the unauthorised move. CBOD further alleges that the effort may be backed by certain unnamed political figures, raising red flags over potential attempts to bypass due process for commercial advantage.

“This isn’t just a logistical concern—it threatens national supply stability and consumer protection,” the Chamber asserted. It estimates that scheduling violations contributed an additional GHS 0.60 per litre to fuel prices from January to May 2025, a cost borne by Ghanaian consumers.

The Chamber emphasised that deviations from the laycan schedule risk triggering demurrage liabilities and broader disruptions within the petroleum import system, ultimately destabilizing pump prices.

CBOD is urging swift action from the NPA to halt the MT Marlin Ametrine’s attempted berthing and protect the integrity of Ghana’s petroleum sector. The letter, copied to the President and Energy Ministry, signals the Chamber’s readiness to support further engagements on the matter.