Global oil and gas storage company set sights on Richards Bay

THE world’s largest independent liquid bulk tank storage service provider of oil products, chemicals and gasses, Vopak, together with energy group Reatile Resources, are prepared to put down roots in Richards Bay.

Currently the Dutch corporate Vopak operates 80 terminals in 28 countries with a combined storage capacity of 34 million cubic meters (cbm), and plans to add another 6.1 million cbm by 2019.

For Vopak-Reatile’s proposed 15.8ha facility at the Port of Richards Bay’s South Dunes, environmental consultants Golder Associates outlined a 696-page Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report at a public meeting held in Meerensee last week.

Vopak management also revealed it hopes to build 45 storage tanks on the site adjacent to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), to keep stock of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and a mix of Clean Petroleum Products (CPP) and chemicals.

Once completed, the terminal will have a total storage capacity of approximately 300 000m³.

‘The final storage capacity would be based on future growth and demand in the market,’ said Vopak Project Director Hans Dilweg.

Infrastructure

In addition to the storage tanks, the terminal will provide associated infrastructure, which includes a liquid shipping line, manifolds, stenching equipment, a marine loading arm, road loading bays, rail loading bays, weighbridges for road and rail loading, mass flow meters and buildings and utilities.

Liquid shipping lines will be constructed from two berths (208 and 209) situated above RBCT to run towards the terminal.

New rail tracks and siding access constructed for the facility will be located on the western side and will be spaced a minimum of 15m from any construction activities.

Buildings on site will include the main office building, a canteen, cabins, a firefighting station, laboratory, control room and maintenance workshop.

However, the report states the final internal layout of the proposed terminal may change based on findings from specialist studies, stakeholder comments and engineering requirements.

‘We anticipate the construction process, which will last two years, will create 350 to 400 jobs,’ said Dilweg.

‘We will of course look at employing local companies, but this will depend on how they rate in safety compliance and on availability of special skills required.

‘This will not be a fly-by-night operation. We will be spending a lot of money in this region.’