Import terminal for green ammonia to be built at Rotterdam port

Dutch natural gas infrastructure company Gasunie, bulk handling company HES International (HES) and tank storage company Vopak have teamed up to develop an import terminal for green ammonia as a hydrogen carrier at the port of Rotterdam amid growing demand for green energy.

Works on the basic design of the import terminal will being in the second quarter of this year, Vopak said on Monday. The facility, to be located on the Maasvlakte extension of the port, should commence operation in 2026 under the name ACE Terminal.

As part of the project, an installation will be built at the site for the conversion of ammonia into hydrogen which will be connected to the national hydrogen network of Gasunie that is meant to serve the future hydrogen market in Northwestern Europe.

The existing infrastructure and the logistic facilities of the port will also be used for the project.

The agreed partnership builds on the 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 three partners will not own the green ammonia that will be imported at the terminal and plan to launch a market consultation procedure to sound out the potential interest of international market players in the supply, storage and shipment of green ammonia and hydrogen.

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