Energy company Mabanaft has submitted the approval documents for the planned construction of an ammonia import terminal in Hamburg to the Hamburg Authority of Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture. This terminal will be constructed on Mabanaft’s existing tank terminal Blumensand in the Port of Hamburg and will play a crucial role in expanding the hydrogen supply.
Subject to approval under the German Federal Immission Control Act (Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz, abbreviated: BImSchG), Mabanaft’s primary construction measures include restructuring the existing Blumensand tank storage facilities. This restructuring, wholly owned by Mabanaft’s tank storage division, will allow for the import, storage, and processing of ammonia. To facilitate this, the demolition of two large petroleum storage tanks is necessary. The permit application submission marks a significant step forward for Mabanaft in realising its ammonia import terminal.
Philipp Kroepels, director of New Energy at Mabanaft, stated, “With the planned import terminal in the Port of Hamburg, we have the opportunity to implement yet another piece of the energy transition and bring it to Hamburg.” He added, “Our import terminal aims to make innovative energy solutions, such as ammonia, available for shipping and for further processing into hydrogen.”
In preparation for the permitting process, Mabanaft participated in a scoping meeting with BUKEA representatives and other parties in January 2024. The scoping meeting aimed to determine the scope of the voluntary Environmental Impact Assessment (Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung, abbreviated: UVP) and the required documents to be submitted to BUKEA. Additionally, Mabanaft successfully completed an application conference and a HazID analysis in the spring and summer of 2023 to identify potential nautical risks.
In November 2022, Mabanaft announced its intention to build facilities for the import and handling of ammonia at its existing Blumensand tank terminal in the Port of Hamburg. This announcement was made in the presence of the German federal minister for economic affairs and climate action, Dr. Robert Habeck, and Hamburg’s first mayor, Dr. Peter Tschentscher. As part of the project, Mabanaft will be responsible for modifying the existing jetty, demolishing two large tanks, constructing a new tank for ammonia storage, and installing pipelines to transport ammonia from the jetty to the storage tank. The facilities are scheduled to commence operations in 2027, with Mabanaft’s investment volume in the triple-digit million range.
The successful implementation of this project is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the energy transition, supporting innovative energy solutions and reinforcing Hamburg’s role as a leader in sustainable energy initiatives.
For more information visit www.mabanaft.com
