Sahara Group Adds 40,000 CBM Asharami Ghana LPG Carrier, Expanding Capacity for Ghana, West Africa

Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has commissioned MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, expanding its fleet capacity, while strengthening Ghana’s clean energy supply chain and LPG distribution network.

The dual‑fuel vessel improves operational efficiency, enhances supply reliability, and supports lower‑emission LPG logistics as consumption grows across Ghana and the wider sub‑region.

Speaking at the commissioning in Ulsan, South Korea, President John Dramani Mahama described the vessel as “a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global LPG supply chain,” noting that expanded shipping capacity is critical to improving supply security, reliability, and efficiency for countries that rely partly on LPG imports.

 

L-R: Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, and Ade Odunsi, Executive Director, Sahara Group at the naming of MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier in Ulsan, South Korea…today

He commended Sahara Group, WAGL Energy, and all partners involved for their “leadership, technical expertise, and strategic foresight,” adding that the project reflects “the power of partnership” in advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.

President Mahama wished the MT Asharami Ghana safe sails, expressing confidence that the vessel would inspire further investment and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain.

According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, the vessel supports Ghana’s clean energy ambitions through integrated infrastructure.

MT Asharami Ghana

“MT Asharami Ghana is more than a vessel; it is part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen LPG supply security and support Ghana’s clean energy ambitions. It secures an additional 25,000 metric tonne stock security for the Ghana economy, alongside the soon to be commissioned 6000-metric-tonee of 12.000-metric-tonne land storage in Tema,” he said.

With the addition of Asharami Ghana, Sahara Group’s LPG carrier fleet now comprises six delivered vessels with a combined capacity of 202,000 cubic metres. Supported by partnerships with WAGL Energy, NNPC Limited, and other stakeholders, an additional 270,000 cubic metres of capacity is under construction and due for delivery by September 2028.

Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, said Asharami Ghana is part of Sahara’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy spanning shipping, storage, and downstream distribution globally, including the development of a 12,000‑metric‑tonne land‑based LPG storage terminal in Tema, with a 6,000‑metric‑tonne first phase scheduled for completion in May 2026.

He thanked Yaa Serwaa Alifo, MD of Asharami Ghana, for her resilience and insistence on dedicating a ship of “this magnitude solely to the Ghana Market and its landlocked neighbours.”

Ghana is targeting LPG adoption of 50 per cent of households by 2030, up from about 30 per cent today. Sahara’s investments will support clean energy access for more than 35 million people, while strengthening Ghana’s role in regional LPG trade to neighbouring and landlocked West African markets.

The commissioning comes in Sahara Group’s 30th anniversary year, guided by the Sahara Beyond XXX milestone, underscoring Sahara’s focus on building an enduring enterprise that delivers responsible growth, shared prosperity and long‑term impact across its markets.

President Tinubu commends NNPC, Sahara Group for Expanding Africa’s Role in Clean Energy…Commissions New 40,000 CBM WAGL Energy Vessel.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR) says Nigeria is poised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just in-country but also across Africa and beyond.

The President made the remarks today at the commissioning ceremony of a 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, christened “MT Iyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea.

The vessel owned by WAGL Energy Limited (an NNPC Ltd. / Sahara Group JV) is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier. This brings WAGL’s total LPG vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM. Other vessels in the fleet include MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.

The President who was represented by the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited and Sahara Group, for their strategic foresight, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain. The commissioning also underscores Sahara Group’s commitment to transforming Africa’s energy landscape through investments in LPG storage and distribution infrastructure to tackle energy access, affordability, and security in Africa.

In his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, noted that WAGL’s LPG Vessel is a great addition to the gas development programme in Nigeria.

Photo Captions (Left to Right): Dignitaries at the naming ceremony of the 40,000 cubic metres (CBM) WAGL Energy Limited’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel in Ulsan, South Korea, on Monday.

The NNPC Ltd. GCEO, who was represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, further said that the vessel will be crucial in realising the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economic development.

According to him, NNPC Ltd. is deepening its commitment to ensure LPG affordability, availability, and access Nationwide.

“NNPC Ltd. is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous Company which, in addition to the newly commissioned MT Iyaloja (Lagos), owns four (4) other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last 5 years,” he added.

Speaking, WAGL’s Chairman and Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, noted that the company’s expansion demonstrates its vision of responsibly driving efforts aimed at bridging the continent’s critical energy infrastructure gap.”

Photo Captions (Left to Right): Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo (representing the President) and the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, at the official naming ceremony of the 40,000 cubic metres (CBM) WAGL Energy Limited’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel in Ulsan, South Korea, on Monday

“The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour. Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy access in Africa,” he added.

WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello stressed that the company is dedicated to expanding its integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.

“WAGL already has plans to further expand the fleet within the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC),” he added.

The ribbon cutting of MT Iyaloja (Lagos), named in honour of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR, (the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), was done by her grand-daughter, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.