GES developing jetty, biofuel-storage infrastructure at Port of Rotterdam

A rendering of GES infrastructure-development plans at Port of Rotterdam (Image: Global Energy Storage)

Global Energy Storage, which launched in May, announced Nov. 11 its first major investment at Europoort in the Port of Rotterdam. It is buying an interest in part of the assets of the Stargate Terminal from Gunvor Group and will develop more than 20 hectares at the heart of the port. The deal has been formally approved by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

The site includes a significant waterfront with deep water access, brownfield-development opportunities, and potential greenfield-development sites.

GES’s ambitious plans include the development of a new multipurpose seagoing jetty, as well as developing infrastructure for consolidation of biofuel storage, storage for renewable fuels, gas storage, gas-to-chemicals production, green and blue hydrogen, and hydrogen carriers such as ammonia.

“This project aims to become one of the largest low-carbon developments at a world-class industrial hub, with the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of future business in the Port of Rotterdam,” said Peter Vucins, CEO of GES. “Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in the world and the gateway into Europe, so I’m delighted to be able to announce our first deal here. Our vision is to take an existing oil terminal and develop it into a state-of-the-art low-carbon products terminal. This development is the first stage of our plans for an international network of infrastructure, serving the energy transition needs of our customers. Alongside a new jetty that we aim to develop and low-carbon commodity infrastructure, we are also looking to become part of the logistics chain needed to import blue and green hydrogen. I hope this gives a glimpse of the size of our ambitions.”

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, with deep-water access and world-class connectivity to inland waterways and pipeline infrastructure.

“The port is ideally placed for this development, which will bring low-carbon technology to one of the world’s great trading hubs that has taken a leading position in the energy transition with very significant and ambitious developments of its own,” Vucins added.

Gunvor will be a long-term partner of GES at the Port of Rotterdam.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with GES to further support the development of environmentally responsible projects in the port of Rotterdam,” said Shahb Richyal, global head of portfolio at Gunvor Group. “This deal is in line with Gunvor’s strategy to support the advancement of energy-transition initiatives at our key asset locations.”

Gunvor also recently announced that its Rotterdam facility will supply to Dow cracker-ready feedstock, which will be used to produce circular plastics.

GES has a focus on energy-transition fuels and fuels of the future. Its strategy is to concentrate on key global hubs, international cross-linked business, and long-term relationships with top-tier energy suppliers.

Eric Arnold, executive chairman of GES, added, “This is the first of what we hope will be many deals. We are looking to develop an international network of storage and logistics infrastructure for low-carbon commodities. You can expect to see a rapid expansion across 2021-’22.”

GES was set up by the management team from Global Petro Storage, the leading operator and developer of energy and chemical assets. GES has private-equity backing and an exclusive focus on energy-transition fuels. GES is backed by Bluewater, the specialist international private-equity firm focused on the middle-market energy sector.