Hamburg’s Authority for Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (BUKEA) has granted MB Energy a permit to build and operate a new ammonia import terminal at the Port of Hamburg, marking a key step for the proposed project.
Subject to a final investment decision, the terminal is planned for the site of the Blumensand tank terminal, which MB Energy said is the largest tank terminal in the port.
The facility is expected to become Germany’s first large-scale ammonia import hub.
According to MB Energy, the terminal is intended to support the import and redistribution of ammonia for several uses, including as a hydrogen storage medium, an industrial raw material, and an alternative marine fuel.
The company said importing ammonia could support the domestic market while helping lay the foundations for a larger hydrogen economy. In the longer term, it added, this could also support shipping’s energy transition.
MB Energy further noted that ammonia could also be used in gas-fired power stations.
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The planned terminal is designed to handle lower-carbon and renewable ammonia, subject to technical capabilities, market availability, and regulatory requirements.
The project forms part of the New Energy Gate Project, which also includes methanol handling at the same site.
Under the plans, MB Energy is set to build a new tank for temporary ammonia storage and upgrade the existing berth for inland barges and seagoing vessels to support imports. Loading facilities for railcars are also planned.
In addition, MB Energy said there are potential plans for a feed-in facility to a future cracker plant, which would be developed separately. The company said this could allow ammonia to be split into hydrogen and linked to a future hydrogen grid network.
Planned throughput at the terminal is estimated at 600,000 metric tonnes of ammonia per year.
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“Following a highly constructive permitting process on both sides, we are pleased to have the official document in our hands, marking a key milestone in taking the project forward,” said Volker Ebeling, Senior Vice President New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure at MB Energy.
He added that the planned ammonia terminal would advance the energy transition in Hamburg, sending a strong signal towards a future-oriented and reliable supply of energy and raw materials.
For more information:
Port of Hamburg – https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/
