Large-scale green ammonia storage in Vlissingen
400,000 m3 - Ammonia - Methanol - Bio-Fuels
Evolution Terminals is working on the development of an integrated Green Energy Hub in the port of Vlissingen. Originally, the plan was to build a terminal for oil and oil-related products on a 17-hectare site. eFuelution has completely overhauled the concept and designed a terminal focused exclusively on green fuels. The first phase of the project focuses on the storage of ammonia, with a total capacity of 150,000 m³. In later phases, storage facilities for methanol (180,000 m³) and biodiesel (70,000 m³) can be developed. In addition, the project offers the option of building an ammonia cracker that produces hydrogen, which can be connected to Gasunie’s backbone network via a pipeline. The land on which the project is being developed is owned by the Port of Vlissingen. The project was financed by an investor specialising in financing projects in the early stages and was sold at the end of 2024 to the terminal company LBC Terminals, which will continue further development.
Challenge
The original vision was to develop a terminal for oil and oil-related products. However, in 2021, eFuelution foresaw that the market in the Netherlands and Western Europe was ready for a transition to sustainable energy infrastructure. The challenge was to convince Evolution Terminals of the value of a Green Energy Hub and to design a completely new concept that focused on green fuels and hydrogen carriers. In addition, the project had to be prepared for complex permit processes, including a nitrogen permit and the EIA procedure, and attract investors and stakeholders, including the Port of Vlissingen as the landowner.
Solution
eFuelution has completely revised the direction of the project and developed a concept for a terminal focused exclusively on renewable fuels and hydrogen carriers. Our contribution included:
- Phasing: Developing a strategy in which ammonia storage is realized as a first phase, with the possibility of adding storage facilities for methanol and biodiesel at a later date.
- Concept development: Designing a Green Energy Hub with 150,000 m³ of ammonia storage in the first phase, including the associated infrastructure such as berths, rail and road charging facilities, and utilities.
- Permits: Obtaining the nitrogen permit for the project and carrying out a large part of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) procedure, which completes crucial steps in the permit process.
- Innovatie: Initiatie van de ontwikkeling van een ammoniakkraker, waarmee ammoniak wordt omgezet in waterstof. Deze waterstof kan via een pijpleiding direct worden aangesloten op het backbone-netwerk van Gasunie, waarmee de hub een belangrijke schakel wordt in de waterstofinfrastructuur van Nederland.
- Marktvisie: Advisering en overtuiging van de klant om te focussen op groene brandstoffen, gebaseerd op een vooruitstrevende visie op de marktontwikkeling in Nederland en West-Europa.
- Pre-FEED: Het managen van de pre-FEED in samenwerking met gespecialiseerde externe partijen.
- Stakeholdermanagement: Ondersteuning in de communicatie met de Haven van Vlissingen als grondeigenaar, overheden, vergunningverlenende instanties en andere belanghebbenden.
Result
The project has led to a completely revised concept that is in line with the energy transition. The first phase, aimed at the storage of 150,000 m³ of ammonia, forms the basis of the Green Energy Hub. In later phases, storage facilities for methanol and biodiesel can be developed. In addition, the option for an ammonia cracker offers new opportunities for hydrogen production, which can be distributed via the Gasunie backbone network. Thanks to the financing by an investor who specializes in supporting projects in the early stages, the development could be realized. The acquisition of the nitrogen permit and the implementation of a large part of the EIA procedure were important milestones in the preparation phase. At the end of 2024, the project was sold to LBC Terminals, a renowned terminal company that will take on further development. Thanks to eFuelution, the project is not only adapted to the future, but also positioned as a key player in making the European energy supply more sustainable.
Project data
Customer
Evolution Terminals
System
Green Energy Hub (storage facility with infrastructure for ammonia, methanol, biodiesel and hydrogen)
Products
Ammonia, Methanol, Biodiesel, Hydrogen
Capacity
150,000 m³ (ammonia in phase 1), expandable to 400,000 m³ (including methanol and biodiesel in later phases)
Period
2021–2024
Duration
3 years (initial development to sale)
Location
Port of Vlissingen, Netherlands
Phase
Development and preparation (concept design, permits, pre-FEED)
Step
Completion of the first phase and sale to LBC Terminal
