Standic’s plans for new terminal

ADVANTAGE ANTWERP

EXPANSION • STANDIC IS EXPANDING ITS STORAGE CAPACITY IN ANTWERP TO ACCOMMODATE A GROWING VOLUME OF CHEMICALS AS GLOBAL PRODUCT FLOWS RESPOND TO CHANGING DEMAND

ANTWERP IS PROVING to be a magnet for investment in petrochemical production in Europe, its hub status and connectivity proving attractive to manufacturers. This is drawing in support from logistics service providers, particularly in the realm of bulk liquids storage.

The latest proof of this is a plan by Standic to build a new terminal for the storage of chemicals. The new terminal is located in the 5th Haven dock, with plans for an initial capacity of 95,000 m3 ramping up to some 230,000 m3, doubling Standic’s capacity in the region once it opens in the first quarter of 2021.

The Port of Antwerp handles some 235m tonnes of international freight annually and is also home to the largest integrated chemical and petrochemical cluster in Europe. It is easy to see why Standic is looking to expand here, as Antwerp is a main artery and a continental hub for Europe, connecting with more than 300 liner services and 800 destinations.

ANTWERP AUTOMATED Automation has become essential in the development of the most sophisticated and flexible projects and this new Standic facility is no exception. The most striking feature of the new state-of-the-art terminal, aside from full automation, will be the builtin sustainability features that have been specifically designed to meet customer requirements, such as onshore power for ships moored at the terminal. Additionally, large chemical tankers will be able to reach the terminal easily thanks to the favourable depth in the port.

Much like the sister facility in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Standic’s Antwerp terminal is being designed to focus on niche chemical markets and the distribution of chemical products. The Dordrecht facility is home to 163 tanks that offer 230,500 m3 capacity. It is planned that the storage tanks at 5th Haven Dock will vary in size from 500 to 3,500 m3 .

“The Port of Antwerp is known as one of the largest maritime clusters in the world, which is why we chose it for our expansion,” says Ronald Ooms, managing director of Standic’s family-owned parent, Hametha. “We aim to build on our success with chemical storage and further expand it. In Antwerp we will be able to further develop in the niche market of more specialised chemicals and serve our customers from all over the world.”

“The new Standic terminal will further boost the synergy between the various industrial companies in the port, thus helping to make logistic operations and processes even more cost-efficient,” says William Demoor, customer relations manager at the Port of Antwerp. “Furthermore, the location is ideal for multimodal access, a key factor for sustainable distribution of chemicals.”

The Port of Antwerp has been pursuing a platform of sustainable development as a key part of its business plan, a concept that has been readily accepted by Standic. Environmental requirements and compliance have been at the forefront of the design process, ensuring that the lasting impact of the development is as minimal as possible. Part of this sustainable development includes improving the multimodal nature of cargo as even though Antwerp is famed for its accessibility by water – both by sea and by inland waterway – the location is highly favourable for rail transport. HCB www.standic.com