Tanzania is seeking nearly 300,000 tonnes of oil products for February, about 10 percent less than it bought for January, industry sources said on Monday. The Petroleum Importation Coordinator, which represents oil marketing companies in Tanzania, is seeking 180,000 tonnes of gasoil, 30,670 tonnes of jet fuel and 73,300 tonnes of gasoline through its monthly import tender, one of the sources said.

The two gasoil cargoes, 90,000 tonnes each, are for delivery over February 4-6 and February 19-21, while the sole jet fuel cargo is for February 4-6 delivery, the source added. The two gasoline cargoes, 36,650 tonnes each, are for delivery over February 9-11 and February 14-16, the source said.

The tender closes on December 28. Tanzania bought more than 315,000 tonnes of oil products for January from Swiss trader August Energy, about 50 percent higher than its December purchase. It bought 202,700 tonnes of gasoil at a premium of $50.93 a tonne above Middle East quotes and 85,700 tonnes of gasoline at a premium of $112.55 a tonne above Mediterranean quotes.

It also bought 29,950 tonnes of jet fuel and kerosene at a premium of $92.84 a tonne above Middle East quotes. Tanzania, east Africa's second-largest economy, is heavily reliant on hydropower and frequently suffers from blackouts. Gasoil is often used for power generation and industrial usage.

Copyright Reuters, 2012