Niger dispatches its first seaborne crude cargo

Meleck crude is a low-sulphur grade 

The landlocked nation of Niger has exported its first seaborne crude cargo, with the loading and departure of a Suezmax tanker in neighbouring Benin. But Niger and Benin remain at odds and are yet to formalise a permanent transit agreement.   The Front Cascade loaded 1m bl of Nigerien crude between 17 and 19 May at Benin’s Seme terminal. The two West African nations are linked by a pipeline, although the start of crude flows were delayed by the diplomatic fallout arising from Niger’s coup last year.   “The Benin–Niger pipeline is a giant project... [and] we are proud of the success of the operation,” the government of Benin stated. The crude, known as Meleck, is a medium-heavy sweet grade, w