Maritime contractor Hakkers of Werkendam started driving new mooring piles at the jetty of Botlek Tank Terminal (HES Beheer interest 50%) on the 3rd of October.
The waterdepth at BTT’s jetty is currently being increased from 13.65 to 15 metres, so that BTT will be capable of receiving vessels with a draught of up to 115,000 DWT. Seven mooring piles will be driven. Each pile has a diameter of 2 metres, a length of 36 metres and a weight of approximately 50 tonnes. The dredging of the harbour basin and the driving of the mooring piles will be completed mid November.
Phase 1 of the project is still well on schedule. Operational and commercial start is expected in the 4th quarter of 2011. This phase involves a total of 34 tanks with a combined storage capacity of 200,000 m3, of which 130,000 m3 for clean fuels and 70,000 m3 for edible oils and biodiesel. The permit for phase 2 is expected in the first quarter of 2012, after which part of the land will be reclaimed.
The intention is to create 350,000 – 550,000 m3 of extra tank storage, depending on type, number and height of the tanks. Talks with potential customers and banks are in progress. Products to be handled include gasoline and gasoline components, jet fuel, diesel and ethanol. According to the current planning, the 2nd phase is expected to become operational in 2014.
On completion of this phase, BTT should have a state-of-the-art terminal with a storage capacity of 550,000 -750,000 m3 for a varied package of liquid bulk products.
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Source: hesbeheer, October 4, 2011; Image: btt-rotterdam