Netherlands-based chemical manufacturer OCI Global, and bunker barge operator Victrol have partnered to jointly develop an ammonia bunkering supply chain in the Netherlands and Belgium.

IMAGE: A large container ship moored in a commercial dock at night in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Getty Images

Under the agreement, OCI Global’s subsidiary, OCI Ammonia Distribution, will procure both green and blue ammonia from major producers in the US, Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

The fuel will be transported by sea to OCI’s Terminal Europoort (OTE) – the chemical producer’s independent large-scale ammonia import terminal at the Port of Rotterdam.  

Victrol will design, build and operate a liquid ammonia bunker barge, that will be used to load ammonia from OCI’s terminal and deliver directly to ships, as well as to inland industrial off takers.

The partnership builds on a successful ammonia ship-to-ship bunkering pilot in Rotterdam earlier this year.  

Notably, OCI has permits in place to expand its ammonia import terminal’s storage capacity from 30,000 mt to 90,000 mt and throughput up to 2 million mt/yr.

“In line with increasing market demand, OCI is positioning Rotterdam to be Europe’s leading hub for the distribution and storage of clean ammonia,” OCI said.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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