Today Vopak celebrates the opening of 16 new tanks with a combined capacity of 64,000 cubic meters at its Vlaardingen terminal in the port of Rotterdam. The new tanks are designed to store waste-based feedstocks for the production of biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel, and will help meet the rising demand for energy from renewable sources in Europe. Vopak Vlaardingen has a long-term commercial agreement with Shell to store the feedstocks for Shell’s new biorefinery in Rotterdam. Shell’s biorefinery will be one of Europe’s largest sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facilities, producing SAF and renewable diesel from waste materials such as used cooking oil, waste animal fat, and other residual products. Vopak Terminal Vlaardingen is strategically located in the Port of Rotterdam and is well-connected for logistics via vessels, barges, trucks, and trains. The terminal has extensive experience in storing products such as used cooking oil and tallow.
In 2021, Vopak started repurposing part of the terminal for waste-based feedstocks that supports the energy transition. Vopak has invested approximately EUR 90 million in new infrastructure which further diversifies the Vlaardingen portfolio with state-of-the-art assets.
This project is in line with Vopak’s strategic goal to accelerate towards new energy by developing infrastructure solutions that support customers and society in decarbonisation. As previously announced, Vopak will accelerate its portfolio investments towards new energies and sustainable feedstocks by allocating EUR 1 billion in growth capital to these activities by 2030. This is half of Vopak’s growth capital allocation till 2030. Vopak’s focus is on infrastructure solutions for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, ammonia, CO2, long duration energy storage and sustainable feedstocks. This strategy will help shape the future of Vopak, but also contribute positively to the transition within key industrial clusters and the shaping of energy hubs of the future.
Source: Hellenic Shipping News
