duisport and LBC Tank Terminals plan new terminal

duisport and the LBC Tank Terminals Group B.V. (LBC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a new terminal for the handling of ammonia and CO₂ in the Port of Duisburg, which is set to commence operations by 2030. With this project, which is to be realized at Rheinkai Nord in Duisburg-Hochfeld, both companies aim to promote the energy transition and support the industry in Europe in reducing CO₂ emissions.

The planned terminal is intended to serve as a satellite facility for LBC’s flagship project in Vlissingen (Netherlands). There, LBC is currently developing a large hub for the import, storage, and cracking of ammonia. The terminal in Duisburg-Hochfeld would create a direct connection between the Netherlands and the Ruhr area, allowing customers to easily and safely obtain ammonia and hydrogen in the future.

Ammonia is to be cracked on-site to produce hydrogen
“We look forward to building a robust connection between both locations together with duisport,” said Frank Erkelens, CEO of LBC Tank Terminals. He emphasizes: “This strengthens Europe’s hydrogen and CO₂ supply chains. This partnership combines our expertise in logistics and terminal operations and supports the European industry in implementing sustainable solutions. This is an important step for growth and decarbonization in the region.”

The facility in Duisburg is to be equipped so that ammonia can be delivered by inland vessel from Vlissingen. A dedicated infrastructure is planned on-site to enable the cracking of ammonia and the production of hydrogen. At the same time, the terminal is to serve as a storage facility for CO₂ originating from industrial processes. The goal is to be able to permanently store the CO₂ beneath the seabed (offshore sequestration) in the future.

Strengthening the Rhine Corridor as a sustainable axis

For duisport CEO Markus Bangen, the collaboration with LBC is another step towards strengthening the Rhine corridor together with the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp as a sustainable logistics axis and enabling the transformation of the European industry: “Ports are key players in the energy transition. They create future-proof infrastructure and resilient supply chains. The joint project with LBC complements the already known plan for the construction of a tank storage facility at Rheinkai Nord and opens up new possibilities for handling the energy carriers of the future in the Port of Duisburg. This sends a strong signal for the transformation in North Rhine-Westphalia.”

Photo: © Hans Blossey/duisport / Caption: The goal is to develop a new terminal for ammonia and CO₂ at Rheinkai Nord in Duisburg-Hochfeld by 2030.