NEWS BULLETIN

Storage Terminals

and some 2m bbl of tank storage capacity in Midland, Texas.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter, after which Energy Transfer will begin construction of a 30-mile pipeline link to tie the two networks together and allow direct pipeline delivery of crude oil volumes from Energy Transfer’s own Midland terminals to the Cushing hub.

www.energytransfer.com

Imtt To Tidy Up Bayonne

Dome To Perfection

Äager, an engineering company specialising in storage tank design, has launched a new tank roof concept, the Domeroof. This is intended to provide a superior storage tank solution for customers in various industries, including oil and gas, water treatment, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. It features a patented geodesic dome design that offers exceptional strength, stability, and reliability, even in the harshest of weather conditions.

One of the key benefits of the Domeroof (above) is its ability to withstand high winds, heavy snow loads and earthquakes. Its unique design allows it to distribute weight evenly across the tank, providing maximum protection against external factors. In addition, the design of the Domeroof allows for easy maintenance, cleaning and inspection, which reduces downtime and maintenance costs.

“Äager’s mission has always been to provide our customers with innovative and reliable solutions that meet their specific needs,” says Riza Altunergil, vice-president of Äager. “The Domeroof is a testament to that mission, offering our customers a storage tank solution that is both reliable and easy to maintain, while providing superior protection against external factors.” www.aager.de

Oiltanking Out Of Bulgaria

Oiltanking has completed the sale of its 91.1 per cent stake in its Bulgarian operation to the Astra Group, as announced this past November, following receipt of relevant approvals. The assets comprise a 25,860-m3 bulk liquids terminal on the Black Sea coast at Varna, which provides storage and handling services for a range of products. The Port of Varna retains its 8.9 per cent holding.

www.oiltanking.com

Et Picks Lotus

Energy Transfer has agreed to acquire Lotus Midstream Operations in a $1.45bn deal; Lotus owns and operates Centurion Pipeline, an integrated crude oil midstream platform in the Permian basis that includes around 3,000 miles of gathering and distribution pipelines

IMTT has announced plans to consolidate existing bulk liquids storage operations at its Bayonne site in New Jersey to free up some 130 acres (52.6 ha) of waterfront land for redevelopment. IMTT says the move will allow it to serve its bulk customers more efficiently and attract additional economic opportunities to the Bayonne area. There will be some reduction in storage capacity but, IMTT says, the terminal will continue to be the largest in the New York Harbor area.

“We are pleased to announce that IMTT is consolidating a portion of the Bayonne terminal and embarking on a transformational development process for the eastern portion of the property. This will allow us to continue providing high-quality storage and logistics services on the west side of our property and pursue sustainable development opportunities on the east side,” says Carlin Conner, IMTT’s chairman/CEO. “IMTT has proudly been operating in Bayonne for nearly four decades and we are committed to continuing to provide the safe and dependable services our storage and logistics customers rely on, while also preparing the east side of our property for commercial activity that will support growth in the community for years to come. We are eager to work with the city of Bayonne, the state of New Jersey and other various stakeholders on a plan that will provide significant economic and environmental benefits to Bayonne and the broader New York metropolitan area.” www.imtt.com

Woman At The Tank Top

The UK Tank Storage Association (TSA) has appointed Wilma Kelly as its new president, succeeding Adrian Jackson, and Arun Sriskanda, managing director of Oikos Storage, as vice-president.

Wilma Kelly, HSE director at Certas Energy, says of the appointment: “I look forward to building on [Adrian’s] success and taking the Association forward. The Tank Storage Association plays a leading role in several industry, regulatory and Government forums and works to ensure that members’ interests are at the top of the agenda. My priorities will be to continue to boost our connections whilst championing the value and benefits of this vital industry. I will be focusing on supporting the energy transition and ensuring the skills and resources for the future, particularly at a time of transformational progress for our sector.” tankstorage.org.uk

Exolum Takes Flight

Exolum has won the tender to operate and manage the fuel storage terminal at Shannon airport in Ireland. In addition to a hydrant system, the storage terminal is an upper tier Seveso site with a capacity of more than 42,000 m3. Exolum will handle the receipt of fuel by vessel, storage and dispatch and will be the only agent providing into-plane fuelling services.

The two-year contract consolidates Exolum’s operations in Ireland, where it already operates fuel supply services at Dublin Airport.

Exolum is also a founding member of the Spain-based Alliance for Air Transport Sustainability (AST), a group formed last month to promote sustainable aviation from an environmental, economic and social perspective. The Alliance seeks to promote the decarbonisation of the aviation sector by favouring a rational and orderly identification and implementation of new technologies and innovative processes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. Very specifically, it brings together interests from across the aviation spectrum, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, safety bodies, academia and the oil industry.

“At Airbus, we have a clear purpose: to be pioneers in a sustainable aerospace industry for a safe and united world. This is the ambition that is behind everything we do and develop,” comments Ricardo Rojas, head of Airbus Commercial Aircraft in Spain. “However, it is clear that we cannot do this on our own. We must join forces with everyone in the industry and the creation of the Alliance is a key milestone on this road.” exolum.com

Rubis On A Rise

Rubis Terminal achieved storage revenues of €235m in 2022, up 6 per cent year-on-year, with growth accelerating in the second half of the year; adjusted EBITDA was up 2 per cent at €124m. Improved demand was seen particularly for biofuels, chemicals and agri-food storage, while the 2022 results also included a €6m capital gain from the sale of Rubis’ activities in Turkey, though this was more than offset by non-recurring costs linked to the refinancing of its debt.

www.rubis-terminal.com

TRAFFIC FALLS AT ANTWERP-BRUGES

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges reports a 4.5 per cent decline in total freight volumes in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. “This decline is due to the still complex geopolitical and macroeconomic context, which has led to a decline in the container segment and significant shifts in cargo flows,” says the port authority. “To keep responding to these demands, the port is committed to sustainable growth together with new and existing pioneers.” www.portofantwerpbruges.com

While terminal congestion has eased over the past two quarters, economic uncertainty and inflation have impacted import demand which, along with the ongoing impact of the RussiaUkraine conflict, has led to a 5.7 per cent drop in container traffic. There was, though, growth in liquid bulk traffic, especially in LNG but also for diesel, fuel oil and energy gases. Chemical throughput has also picked up since the previous period, though it was still more than 21 per cent down on the first quarter 2022.