Gasunie, HES International (HES) and Vopak have signed an agreement to develop an import terminal for green ammonia as a hydrogen carrier in the Port of Rotterdam.
The terminal will operate on the Maasvlakte under the name ACE Terminal and is expected to be operational from 2026.
Vessels from all over the world should be able to moor at the terminal to discharge green ammonia and possibly blue ammonia in the initial phase.
Green hydrogen is seen as an essential element of the future renewable energy.
The partnership comes as a response to the growing demand for green hydrogen in the energy, transport, and petrochemical industry in the Netherlands and Germany, but the site will be operated to serve the future hydrogen market across all of Northwestern Europe.
The terminal for green ammonia aims to become an essential link in the hydrogen chain to enhance production, transport, and storage and achieve the climate goals for 2030 and 2050.
In a joint statement, the companies declared: “By joining forces, an attractive starting point will be established from which within just a few years, the partners will be able to realise the import location for green ammonia in Rotterdam.”
“The eventual investment decision still has to be taken, and will be based among others on customer contracts and the necessary permits, including the EIA procedure.”
The news follows the agreement signed by Horisont Energi and Koole Terminals B.V. to develop an ammonia terminal and storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam.
In 2021, the Port of Rotterdam processed 15.3 million TEU, its highest yearly total on record.
