Vopak is exploring the expansion of its ammonia storage infrastructure in Singapore, with full import and export capabilities for low-carbon bunker fuels at its Banyan terminal.
With a storage capacity of close to 1.5m cubic metres, the Vopak Banyan terminal is an integrated oil, chemical and gas hybrid storage terminal.
The terminal is located on Jurong Island and is said to have “extensive experience” in handling ammonia, a product for which extra safety precautions are needed.
Currently, Vopak Singapore owns and operates a refrigerated ammonia tank with a capacity of 10,000 cbm which is supporting petrochemical activities in Singapore.
Vopak Singapore said it has recently completed the conceptual design of the planned expansion and has commenced the quantitative risk assessment study.
“Vopak can leverage on our proven expertise of safely storing ammonia in Banyan,” said Vopak Terminals Singapore managing director Rob Boudestijn.
“We have the right expertise and are at the right location to facilitate new supply chains for low carbon ammonia.
“We do see a strong potential in Singapore that supports the momentum of developing ammonia ready infrastructure ahead of other locations.”
In addition to Singapore, Vopak also has ammonia storage in Caojing, China, Al-Jubail in Saudi Arabia, Kertih in Malaysia, and Houston and Louisiana in the US.
Vopak is also developing an import terminal for green ammonia as a hydrogen carrier in Rotterdam and is preparing for ammonia storage at its gas terminal in Flushing, the Netherlands.
Earlier in 2022, Vopak said it would accelerate its portfolio investments towards new energies and sustainable feedstocks by allocating €1bn ($1bn) in growth capital to these activities by 2030.
Here, Vopak’s focus is on infrastructure solutions for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, ammonia, CO2, long duration energy storage and sustainable feedstocks.
Vopak Terminals Singapore is a joint venture between Royal Vopak with a stake of 69.5% and the Port of Singapore Authority Corp,which holds the remaining 30.5%.
The outfit owns and operates four terminals with a combined storage capacity of more than 3m cbm. In addition, Vopak Terminals Singapore operates the Jurong Rock Caverns.
