Energy company Mabanaft has submitted approval documents for the planned construction of an ammonia import terminal in Hamburg to the Hamburg Authority of Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture (BUKEA). The terminal will be situated at Mabanaft’s existing tank terminal Blumensand in the Port of Hamburg, primarily aimed at expanding hydrogen supply.
The permit application, under the German Federal Immission Control Act (Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz, BImSchG), involves significant construction measures, including restructuring the Blumensand tank storage facilities owned by Mabanaft’s tank storage division. This restructuring will enable the import, storage, and processing of ammonia, necessitating the demolition of two large petroleum storage tanks. The submission of the permit application marks a crucial step forward for Mabanaft in realizing its ammonia import terminal.
Philipp Kroepels, Director New Energy at Mabanaft, commented “With the planned import terminal in the Port of Hamburg, we have the opportunity to further advance the energy transition.” He emphasized, “Our import terminal aims to facilitate innovative energy solutions, such as ammonia, for shipping and further processing into hydrogen.”
Prior to the submission, Mabanaft undertook several actions, including participation in a scoping meeting with BUKEA in January 2024 to define the scope of the voluntary Environmental Impact Assessment (Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung, UVP) and conducted an application conference and HazID analysis in spring and summer 2023 to assess nautical risks.
The planned ammonia import terminal project in Hamburg was announced by Mabanaft in November 2022, with the presence of German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Dr. Robert Habeck and Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher. The project includes modifications to the existing jetty, demolition of two large tanks, construction of a new ammonia storage tank, and installation of transport pipelines. Operations are expected to commence in 2027, with Mabanaft investing a triple-digit million amount.
About Mabanaft Group
Mabanaft Group, a leading independent energy company, provides innovative energy solutions for transportation, heating, industrial, and agricultural sectors, emphasizing cleaner fuel transitions through alternative long-term solutions.
About Oiltanking Deutschland
Oiltanking Deutschland, part of Mabanaft Group, has been active in tank storage logistics since 1972, operating 11 terminals across Germany with a total storage capacity of 2.375 million cubic meters.
Source Mabanaft Group