The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Olympic Lyra changed its destination to Lome in Togo from Southwold in Britain, Refinitiv ship-tracking data showed.

Togo is a hub for ship-to-ship transfers to other destinations in West Africa, such as Nigeria.

VLCCs have a capacity of around 300,000 tonnes and their arrival in a region can affect refining margins.

VLCCs often carry refined, or clean, oil products on their maiden journey before switching to crude oil or fuel oil.

The Olympic Lyra, sailing from Asia, was supposed to arrive in Britain around May 7, but the shipping data now shows an estimated time of arrival in Lome on April 25.

It had loaded more diesel in ship-to-ship transfers off Dubai last month, the data showed.

The Front Defender VLCC, also likely carrying diesel, has changed its destination to Southwold from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to arrive on May 25.

It had first discharged some of its cargo in Asia on its maiden journey and then loaded further diesel in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail, ship tracking data showed.