Home to the storage industry
In a circle of approximately 80 kilometres around the ARA region, 45% of the total European chemical production is manufactured. The presence of this industry has attracted numerous others, among which is the tank storage industry
Because of its excellent location at the estuary of Europe’s main inland waterways Rhine and Meuse, the area in the Amsterdam- Rotterdam-Antwerp region (ARA region) has proven to be the best suitable location in north west Europe to erect major mineral oil and chemical complexes.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the world’s larger players in the mineral oil storage field, whereas chemicals and crude oil only play a minor role. Most companies present have seen a change of ownership during the last two decades and new owners have upgraded the infrastructure. There are five major players in the liquid bulk field: BP Amsterdam Terminal, Euro Tank Terminals Amsterdam, Oiltanking, Vopak and Valero. All companies, except Valero, are storing mineral oil products such as gasoil, petroleum, MTBE and other components. Valero is concentrating on fuel oil and bitumen storage, but has announced expansions to store gasoil, petroleum and biofuels. This expansion comprises of 13 tanks – totaling 279,000m3. According to the Amsterdam Port Authority, the strong growth is mainly due to the continuous demand for petroleum on the world market, particularly in west Africa and the US. As a result, a relatively large amount of petroleum is blended in Amsterdam. Large amounts of Russian petroleum are blended with components such as butane and MTBE, mostly coming from Rotterdam and other European ports.
The entrance to the Amsterdam port area is via the Noordzeekanaal channel, which is 11 sea miles long. The main lock, the Noordersluis, is 400 metres long, 50 metres wide and has a draft of 15 metres. The draft into the port area is however limited to 13.72 metres.
National, provincial and local bodies have been studying an alternative entrance to the Amsterdam port area since 2004.
Rotterdam
For many years Rotterdam has been one of the three largest ports in the world, with a very strong position in the petrochemicals industry. Rotterdam’s strength is the unique positioning in the North Sea, also its excellent hinterland connections.
