Fluxys, Advario Stolthaven Antwerp, and Advario Gas Terminal have teamed up to investigate the viability of constructing an open-access green ammonia import terminal at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The objective is to provide a solution to the growing demand for importing and storing renewable energy and raw materials as the decarbonisation of Europe develops.
Fluxys, Advario Stolthaven Antwerp (a 50/50 joint venture with Stolthaven Terminals), and Advario Gas Terminal hope to determine the optimal ammonia storage option for northwest Europe by combining their respective strengths and skills in logistics, storage, and pipeline transmission.
Fluxys, an independent energy infrastructure company established in Belgium, and the Advario terminals are currently introducing their proposal to big industrial operators and energy suppliers.
The proposed terminal, scheduled to open in 2027 at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, will provide storage and multimodal logistics solutions for ammonia (train, truck, barge and possibly ammonia pipelines connected to local industrial sites). It will also include facilities to convert ammonia back into hydrogen and connect to the Fluxys open-access hydrogen network in order to supply the entirety of northwestern Europe.
Supporting the transition to renewable energy in Europe
Importing ammonia is an efficient method of importing huge quantities of green energy and raw materials from abroad, where abundant solar and wind energy can be utilized to produce hydrogen, which can then be combined with nitrogen from the air to produce ammonia.
The proposal is also consistent with the REPowerEU program, which has set a goal of 20 million tonnes of green hydrogen consumption by 2030, of which a fifth should be provided by ammonia imports.
President of Stolthaven Terminals, Guy Bessant, said: “Alongside Advario, our partner in Antwerp, Stolthaven Terminals is pleased to be involved in this project to investigate how we can improve green-energy infrastructure in north-west Europe. We look forward to working with our partners, Fluxys and Advario Gas Terminal NV. This partnership further demonstrates Stolthaven Terminals’ commitment to the green-energy transition and complements the hydrogen research project we are also planning to undertake in Brazil.”
Pascal De Buck, CEO Fluxys, said: “We are delighted to launch this green ammonia import terminal project with our Advario partners. Combining and leveraging our terminalling and technology expertise will enable us to fast-track the development of key solutions for importing low-carbon energy and feedstock. Fluxys aims to be a decarbonisation driving force and this project is a landmark venture in helping build the infrastructure to carry the molecules needed for a carbon-neutral society.”
Bas Verkooijen, CEO Advario, said: “Together with Stolthaven Terminals, our longstanding partner in Antwerp, we are very excited about this partnership with Fluxys. This new relationship is all about combining our strengths, know-how and experience to develop the logistics infrastructure required to accelerate the energy transition. As partners we are strongly united by our shared vision of playing a leading role in addressing climate change.”
