Fuel Relief on the Horizon: NOCMA G-to-G Consignment Arrives in Mozambique Enroute to Malawi

A major fuel breakthrough is underway for Malawi as the vessel MT Virgo, carrying 22 million litres of diesel, has docked at Nacala Port in Mozambique, marking a critical phase in the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel import deal.

The vessel, which initially arrived at Tanga Port in Tanzania on July 8, 2025, with 50 million litres of fuel—comprising both petrol and diesel—has already offloaded 28 million litres of petrol in Tanga. That consignment is already enroute to Malawi by road.

Speaking to the press, NOCMA Public Relations Officer Raymond Likambale confirmed that preparations are in full swing to transport the remaining diesel via rail to Matindi Depot in Malawi.

“We successfully discharged 28 million litres of petrol in Tanga. Now, at Nacala, we’re offloading the remaining 22 million litres of diesel, which will be hauled into Malawi using trains,” said Likambale. “We’ve already started loading wagons to speed up delivery.”

Likambale added that the first fuel deliveries from this consignment are expected to start arriving in Malawi by Friday or Saturday this week.

“We’re racing against time because we understand the urgency. Malawians need this fuel like yesterday, and we’re doing everything possible to expedite the process,” he emphasized.

In Tanga, trucks began uplifting fuel even before the full discharge was completed, underscoring the urgency with which NOCMA is operating. In Mozambique, the use of rail wagons over trucks is intended to maximize the volume and speed of delivery into Malawi.

“Wagons can carry more at once compared to trucks, and the distance from Nacala to Malawi is shorter, so we expect a steady flow,” said Likambale. “This efficiency is thanks to our strong partnership with Petromoc, the Mozambican oil company, which has been instrumental in fast-tracking operations.”

This consignment is part of a broader strategy announced by President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera in November 2024, to adopt G-to-G fuel imports as a long-term solution to Malawi’s persistent fuel shortages. The first batch—40,000 metric tonnes (approximately 51.5 million litres)—was procured in January 2025 from Abu Dhabi, UAE under the new deal.

As the trains prepare to roll into Malawi, hopes are high that this latest G-to-G consignment will bring long-awaited relief to fuel stations and industries across the country.