- Six oil tankers carrying over 231,000 tonnes of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products are due at Kenyan ports within the next two weeks
- The shipments come as drone attacks on Kenya-bound tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns about the security of the country's fuel supply chain
- Fuel prices have already risen sharply, with EPRA hiking Nairobi's maximum petrol price by KSh 12.93 per litre to KSh 226.96 in its latest monthly review
Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has confirmed that 51 vessels are expected to call at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu over the next 14 days, among them oil tankers delivering petroleum products critical to Kenya's fuel supply.
Source: UGC
The Port of Mombasa is scheduled to receive 41 ships, including the six oil tankers, 26 container ships, seven conventional cargo vessels and two car carriers.
The Port of Lamu is projected to handle 10 vessels comprising nine container ships and one general cargo vessel, according to KPA's October 19, 2026 shipping schedule.
What the oil tankers are carrying
The six tankers are transporting a mix of fuel and energy-related products.
One of the significant consignments is aboard the M.T. Bellatrix, a medium-range tanker carrying more than 21,000 tonnes of Shell V-Power premium petrol destined for Vivo Energy Kenya.
Shell V-Power, exclusively imported and distributed in Kenya by Vivo Energy Kenya, is a specially formulated motor gasoline product that delivers enhanced protection and an unmatched performance feel.
Vivo Energy Kenya is the company that exclusively imports and distributes the premium Shell V-Power Unleaded petrol to meet the needs of a discerning local customer base.
After discharge at Shimanzi Oil Terminal, Vivo Energy Kenya stores Shell V-Power at its Mombasa terminal and transports it inland for distribution to Shell Service Stations.
The local firm also transports V-Power exclusively from Shimanzi to Nairobi via Kenya Railways Corporation Rail Tankers, as part of the firm’s delivery operations.
The company, which operates more than 350 service stations nationally, exclusively imports and distributes the Shell-branded fuel and transports it from Mombasa to Nairobi using Kenya Railways Corporation rail tankers.
Other key shipments include the M.T. Torm Sublime and M.T. Maria carrying 85,000 tonnes and 40,000 tonnes of gasoil respectively, and the M.T. Pis Rinjani with 85,000 tonnes of motor gasoline, all destined for Kipevu Oil Terminal II.
The M.T. Bow Lynx is bringing 4,900 tonnes of base oil to Shimanzi Oil Terminal. Together, the four main petroleum cargoes account for at least 231,000 tonnes of petrol and diesel.
The port schedule also lists vessels carrying bulk wheat, steel coils and clinker for cement production, alongside the two car carriers.
Middle East conflict and Kenya's fuel costs
The arrivals come at a turbulent moment for global oil markets.
Reportedly, two petroleum tankers bound for Kenya were struck by drones in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging their propulsion systems and rendering them unable to sail independently.
EPRA's chief executive disclosed the incidents to Parliament earlier this week.
Brent crude climbed to a five-month high of $111.24 per barrel as Houthi attacks intensified along the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.
The International Energy Agency warned that renewed hostilities had set back Middle Eastern oil supply recovery, with Brent futures up 13% since the start of September.
The agency also reported that combined diesel net exports from the Middle East and Russia had fallen by more than 60% year-on-year.
The disruptions have pushed up costs considerably.
EPRA's latest monthly review raised Nairobi's maximum petrol price by KSh 12.93 per litre to KSh 226.96, diesel by KSh 9.90 to KSh 227.76 and kerosene by KSh 28.49 to KSh 219.87.
The vessels are scheduled to arrive between October 19 and October 31, with KPA reporting no disruptions to the current schedule.
Source: TUKO.co.ke