By Contributing Writer

An Investigation has gathered that despite ongoing maneuvering and efforts to have a consignment of dirty petroleum products onboard a Russian vessel to offload in Monrovia, the LPRC remains firm on rejecting the off-loading of the products.

Importer of a huge quantity of petroleum product that does not meet the requirements set by the regulatory agency, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) is said to be using unorthodox means to have the vessel carrying the bad petroleum product to dock and offload in Liberia.

The LPRC is rejecting the vessel from landing in Liberia citing that the petroleum products on board is above the 500ppm specification set by the LPRC for importation of petroleum products to Liberia. For more than a month now, the vessel carrying the bad product has been at sea with maneuvering for it to dock and offload.

With big hands behind the scheme to have the vessel offload in Liberia, there are efforts such as filing a Petition to Court claiming that once the necessary port and other associated fees have been paid the vessel should be allowed to dock.

LPRC has set a standard to reject any gasoil above 500ppm as per its February, 2024 communication setting new guidelines for importation of Petroleum products to Liberia.

Dealers of Petroleum products have described the stance by the LPRC as welcoming as Liberia is getting better and is no longer the dumping ground for bad products.

This outlet has gathered that the importers are still pushing the management to allow the bad Product to be discharged. The vessel has been at the Liberian anchor waiting to dock for 3 weeks and LPRC keeps holding to the standard.

Accordingly, the owners of the vessel containing the products are now working to misinform the public and LPRC that the product is intended to be supplied for  LEC and Sethi Brothers under the pretense of Heavy Fuel Oil.

LEC consumes approximately 800,000 gallons of gasoil during the dry season and uses hydro during the rainy season. LEC diesel consumption is even better when they use heavy fuel oil during the dry season and petroleum dealers in Liberia are wondering how LEC can now procure 5 million gallons of gasoil for its rainy season operations.

The LPRC is said to have been alerted along with the LEC, Sethi Brothers, and all stakeholders including the Petroleum Importers Association and the major importers to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the plot to import dirty fuel to the Liberian Market never happens.

Many petroleum importers are appreciating the current management of LPRC for setting high standards as Liberian is no longer a dumping ground for bad products saying it is a thing of the past.

Many are commending the LPRC for its firm stance on rejecting the offloading of petroleum products.

Investigation continues