The Netherlands – The first phase of OCI N.V.’s ammonia import terminal expansion project in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has received a final investment decision (FID).
The terminal is strategically located to meet Europe’s expected future hydrogen deficit by facilitating emerging ammonia demand for bunkering to ocean-going vessels and serving as a hub for hydrogen imported in the form of ammonia from regions with abundant natural gas and renewable resources, such as the Middle East and North Africa.
Staged expansion
The expansion will be built in stages, with the first step being a boost in throughput capacity from the current c.400 ktpa to up to 1.2 million metric tons per year, which will be accomplished through low-cost upgrades to OCI’s existing infrastructure. The first phase’s total investment cost is expected to be under $20 million, with completion in 2023.
For the second phase, OCI has completed a basic engineering package for the construction of a new world-scale ammonia tank at the terminal, which, when combined with a scale-up in jetty infrastructure, could allow throughput to exceed 3 million tons per annum. OCI intends to start permitting this year in order to be able to quickly increase throughput capacity as demand for clean ammonia grows in the medium term.
The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s busiest seaport, with 30,000 visiting seagoing vessels and 100,000 inland vessels each year. It is one of four major global bunkering ports and Europe’s largest, supplying approximately 11 million m3 of marine bunker fuels each year.
