SEA-MOL, a newly formed joint venture between SEA Tank Terminal Antwerp and MOL Chemical Tankers, is investing up to €400 million in a new multi-modal chemical storage tank terminal in the Port of Antwerp.

The move is in response to increasing demand for chemical storage and other activities in Antwerp in particular, and the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp area in general.

The company, owned 51% by SEA-Tank and 49% by MOL Chemical Tankers, will secure 20.8 hectares of land at the Delwaidedok in Antwerp from Antwerp Bulk Terminal, a sister company of SEA-Tank. In addition, the company will enter into an agreement with the port authority to take a further 24.4 hectares of land adjacent to that being acquired from Antwerp Bulk Terminal.

SEA-MOL will build up to 500,000m3 of storage capacity for liquid chemicals, including organic, inorganic and base oils. The first phase of the terminal is expected to be operational in mid-2021.

The facility will also offer services such as blending, drum filling, filtration and ISO-tank storage, which SEA-MOL said will enable customers to concentrate their activities on one site and avoid trucking between sites, yielding cost savings and reducing congestion in the area.

Access to the terminal will be available for sea-going vessels, barges, trucks and railcars.