On January 15, 2025, the ship Zhi Yuan Kou from COSCO SHIPPING docked in Antwerp, Belgium, carrying a significant delivery—a colossal furnace measuring 60 metres in height.
A Crucial Component of Project ONE
The furnace is a vital element of INEOS’s Project ONE, a groundbreaking ethane cracker facility under development. It will generate the necessary heat to convert ethane into ethylene, a key chemical used across a wide range of industries. Ethylene serves as a raw material in manufacturing products such as automotive components, medical devices, and sustainable energy solutions.
Image copyright :INEOS
In addition to the furnace, several pipe racks were also delivered. These structures are essential for supporting pipelines and related equipment. However, despite their considerable size, these components represent only a fraction of the overall scope of Project ONE. Earlier in June, Gosselin facilitated the delivery of a splitter—a critical part of the ethane cracker—at the PSA Breakbulk terminal in Antwerp.
Gosselin’s Role in Project Logistics
Gosselin, the appointed logistical service provider for Project ONE, oversees a range of activities including transportation, temporary storage, on-site material movements, assembly, inspections, and other value-added services. Acting as the control tower for the project, Gosselin ensures efficient and timely management of all logistical aspects.
Europe’s Largest Chemical Investment Since 2000
Scheduled to commence operations by mid-2026, Project ONE represents the largest investment in the European chemical industry in over two decades. Construction milestones include the foundation stone laid on December 15, 2022. The project is anticipated to create approximately 450 new jobs.
Additionally, the new ethane cracker aims to set environmental benchmarks by producing half the CO2 emissions of the least polluting 10 percent of ethane crackers currently operating. This aligns with INEOS’s commitment to sustainability while advancing Europe’s chemical industry.
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