The largest storage tank for ammonia in the Netherlands will be located in the port of Rotterdam. The province of South Holland has granted chemical company OCI a permit to build a tank with a capacity of 60,000 tons. According to DCMR, the environmental agency of the province in the Rijnmond region, it complies with the latest safety guidelines that will be established soon. The storage tank will have a double steel wall and a concrete outer wall.
Ammonia is a poisonous gas that is harmful to health if inhaled. Political parties in South Holland and residents of OCI’s storage and transshipment terminal in the Europoort – where there are already two 15,000-ton storage tanks – are therefore concerned about the dangers of such a large tank if a leak occurs. Especially because there are plans to build many more of these in the extensive industrial area in the coming years.
Rotterdam wants to become the most important port for the import of sustainable energy and is focusing in particular on hydrogen. Ammonia plays an important role in this. Transporting and storing hydrogen becomes easier and cheaper by temporarily converting it into liquid ammonia.
Last month, chairman Henk Compter of the Association of Concerned Citizens of Voorne (VVBV) called on the South Holland provincial government to first have an environmental impact assessment carried out before a permit is granted. However, according to DCMR, such an investigation is not necessary in this case. At a meeting of the Provincial Council, Compter painted the picture of a deadly gas cloud that passes through the villages of Voorne-Putten if something goes wrong with the storage and transport of ammonia. He also pointed out the risks if a bomb is dropped on the tank. The chairman of the residents’ association says he is now satisfied with the strict safety requirements that DCMR imposes on the new tank, although he is still concerned about the two smaller, old tanks on the complex.
By: ANP
Tags: port Rotterdam receive largest ammonia tank Netherlands
