- Three companies partner for import terminal construction
Gasuine, a Dutch natural gas infrastructure company, alongside HES International, a bilk handling company and Vopak, a tank storage company, will co-develop a terminal in Rotterdam for the importation of green ammonia in response to the growing demand for green energy.
According to Vopak, the basic design of the import terminal will commence in the second quarter of 2022. The facility will be located on the Maasvlakte extension of the port and will commence operation in 2026 under the name, ACE Terminal.
Site installation for the conversion of ammonia into hydrogen will be made at the site and will be in connection with the national hydrogen network of Gasuine, which is meant to provide a future market for hydrogen in the Northwestern region of Europe. The existing infrastructure and logistic facilities of the port will be used for the project.
The partnership agreement rests on the preexisting expertise of the three companies. HES runs a location with quayside capacity and direct access from the sea on the Maasvlakte, while Gasunie operates storage tanks and a network of pipelines in this area. With six ammonia terminals around the world, Vopak has expertise in the safe storage of ammonia.
The ammonia will not be owned by the three partners but will be imported at the terminal, and a market consultation to be launched in order to attract the interest of potential buyers in the international market, who deal with the supply, storage, and transport of green ammonia and hydrogen.