By combining their respective strengths and expertise, Advario Stolthaven Antwerp (a 50:50 joint venture with Stolthaven Terminals), Advario Gas Terminal and Fluxys said they want to ascertain the optimum ammonia handling and storage solution for Northwest Europe.

Their plan is to offer the market a way to meet growing demands for importing and storing green energy and raw materials against a backdrop of ongoing decarbonization.  

“Port of Antwerp-Bruges is ready to receive sustainable molecules. As ammonia is one of the most efficient hydrogen carriers known, it will play a crucial role in the energy transition,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO, Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “The collaboration between Fluxys and Advario and the joint development of a green ammonia import terminal fully contributes to this goal. This is again an important step in the energy transition and in achieving a climate-neutral industry in our port.”

The companies are now engaging with major industrial operators and energy suppliers to introduce the project, with the aim of having the terminal operational in 2027.

The proposed terminal will also offer multimodal transport methods, including train, truck, barge and possibly ammonia pipelines connected to local industrial sites, while optionally also providing facilities to convert ammonia back into hydrogen. It will also connect to the Fluxys open-access hydrogen network to ensure supply throughout Northwest Europe.

According to the project partners, the terminal “dovetails seamlessly” with their strategies for implementing Europe’s hydrogen program and the REPowerEU plan by providing decarbonization infrastructure and effectively making Belgium a European hub for the import and export of molecules essential to the carbon-neutral economy.

REPowerEU was established by the European Commission on May 18 in response to the hardships and global energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The plan, which aims to save energy, produce clean energy and diversify the economic bloc’s energy supplies, has a target of 20 million t of green hydrogen consumption by 2030, one fifth of which should be covered by ammonia imports. 

Study for German ethylene terminal 

In separate news, Advario has entered into an agreement with Sasol Germany to carry out a technical study for potentially building and operating an ethylene storage facility in Brunsbüttel, northern Germany.

The facility, which will include a tank with capacity of 30,000 m³, will supply ethylene to Sasol Germany’s site at ChemCoast Park. It will be able to store conventional ethylene as well as green ethylene derived from renewable or circular sources. Planning and construction is expected to take about four years.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Jounalist