OCI expands import terminal for green ammonia

OCI N.V. has announced its final investment decision for the initial phase of its ammonia import terminal expansion project in the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Strategically positioned to meet the growing demand for ammonia bunkering on ocean-going vessels and 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, the terminal aims to address Europe’s anticipated future hydrogen deficit.

The expansion will be executed in stages, with an initial increase in throughput capacity from approximately 400 ktpa to up to 1.2 million metric tonnes per year through cost-effective enhancements to OCI’s existing infrastructure. The total investment for the first phase is projected to be under $20 million, with completion slated for 2023.

For the second phase, OCI has finalised a basic engineering package for the construction of a new world-scale ammonia tank at the terminal, coupled with enhancements to jetty infrastructure, allowing for a potential increase in throughput to over 3 million metric tonnes per ar. OCI plans to initiate permitting activities this year to swiftly ramp up throughput capacity as demand for clean ammonia grows in the medium term.

Ahmed El-Hoshy, CEO of OCI NV, stated, “This project is a logical progression for OCI, a global leader in ammonia production, trading, and distribution, to bolster our ammonia value chain by leveraging our established presence in Rotterdam. We are delighted to announce this milestone, reinforcing a crucial ammonia import and future bunkering hub and aggregation point for low-carbon ammonia at a world-scale port.”

The port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport and one of the world’s major bunkering ports, handles approximately 30,000 sea-going and 100,000 inland vessels annually, supplying around 11 million m3 of marine bunker fuel per year.

Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, commented, “OCI’s decision to triple its ammonia import capacity in Rotterdam aligns perfectly with our aspirations to become a carbon-neutral port by 2050. Ammonia is not only a hydrogen carrier and a feedstock for the chemical industry but also a vital renewable fuel for the shipping sector.”

OCI’s expansion initiative reinforces its commitment to the Port of Rotterdam, where the company operates the largest methanol storage and biofuel blending facility in Europe, contributing to the port’s efforts to decarbonise the maritime industry, one of the most challenging sectors to transition to clean energy.

For more information visit www.portofrotterdam.com