Alkion Terminals recently added a state-of-the-art tankpit at its Le Havre facility, which is the largest chemical storage terminal in France.
The new Tankpit 22 offers 33,000 cubic meters (1.17 million cubic feet) of storage capacity across 24 tanks, the company said. Tailor-made for high-value heated products such as additives and lubricants, it is insulated and heated to the “advanced and rigorous” standards expected by customers today. The new facility is connected to markets by water, rail, and road.
“I believe we have demonstrated that our customers can trust Alkion to accompany them in securing their future business requirements,” said Rutger van Thiel, Alkion CEO. “The new Tankpit 22 guarantees their supply chain, notably their import of feedstock, export of intermediates, and inland distribution to consumers. Our world-scale terminal in Le Havre is the gateway for chemicals, additives, and lubricants into France.
“The new tankpit has consolidated our position as a strategic partner, while triggering additional expansion projects.”
The closure of the Sotrasol terminal in June created a loss of storage capacity that negatively impacted the supply chain of some Alkion customers. Tankpit 22 provides a forward-thinking solution that seamlessly migrates customers to Alkion Terminal Le Havre, around 10 km (6.2 miles) from the Sotrasol terminal, the company said.
“Working with customers to deliver a state-of-the-art infrastructural solution that adhered to their demanding standards and procedures was a great privilege, and underscores Alkion’s conviction that it all starts with our firm belief that ‘Listening is everything,” Alkion maintained.
The Stolt Spray on June 23 became the last vessel to unload product at the Sotrasol terminal. Alkion now is focused on ensuring the site is remediated for future industrial use.
The Sotrasol terminal site first became operational in 1946 and quickly became a vital link for French supply chains. For many years it served as a hub for the import of vegetable and animal oils for the food and cosmetics sectors. In the 1960s, it evolved into a key hub for mineral oil, and in the 1980s it became an important location for the distribution of additives and lubricants.
A few years ago the Le Havre Port Authority began to form ambitious project plans for the future of Le Havre. These plans necessitated the closure of the site, which is located in the old port near the center of the city.
One of these projects include jetty infrastructure designed for a new Siemens GAMESA factory, the largest industrial project in France dedicated to renewable energy. The factory will produce wind turbines destined for five offshore windfarms off the northern coast of France. In doing so it will make a major contribution to the energy transition in France.
Alkion listened to the needs of the Port Authority and France’s climate change ambitions by agreeing to decommission the Sotrasol terminal site.