Biofuel capacity increases at vital hub
The throughput of biofuels at Rotterdam port increased to 9 million metric tonnes from 7.5 million tonnes in 2019.
According to Ronald Backers, who has worked at the port facility for 30 years in various capacities, this was surprising knowing that the demand of petrol and diesel declined considerably in Europe due to the COVID-19 crisis.
He said: “The throughput of biodiesel/HVO increased from an already high volume, with a stunning 23% increase.
“With regards to biodiesel throughput in 2020, almost 70% was FAME in different types of products, almost 30% was HVO and some was blended diesel.
“The hub position of the Port of Rotterdam in the production, storage and trade of biofuels has strengthened. The throughput of bioethanol also has increased.
“This was partly due to the increased demand for ethanol in hand sanitisers and other hygiene products. It is also good to see the throughput of biojet fuel (SAF) is on the rise too.
“It is still low compared with other biofuels, but it will increase further due to increased SAF mandates by various EU governments in the future. Neste has increased its presence in our port with the acquisition of the Count Terminal in Vlaardingen (on the north side of the New Waterway) and the Bunge Loders Croklaan vegoil refinery.
“This refinery in next to Neste’s renewable diesel plant at the Maasvlakte. Neste has announced they are in the site selection process for a new plant for renewable diesel and SAF and that Rotterdam is one of the potential locations.”
According to Ronald Backers, who has worked at the port facility for 30 years in various capacities, this was surprising knowing that the demand of petrol and diesel declined considerably in Europe due to the COVID-19 crisis.
He said: “The throughput of biodiesel/HVO increased from an already high volume, with a stunning 23% increase.
“With regards to biodiesel throughput in 2020, almost 70% was FAME in different types of products, almost 30% was HVO and some was blended diesel.
“The hub position of the Port of Rotterdam in the production, storage and trade of biofuels has strengthened. The throughput of bioethanol also has increased.
“This was partly due to the increased demand for ethanol in hand sanitisers and other hygiene products. It is also good to see the throughput of biojet fuel (SAF) is on the rise too.
“It is still low compared with other biofuels, but it will increase further due to increased SAF mandates by various EU governments in the future. Neste has increased its presence in our port with the acquisition of the Count Terminal in Vlaardingen (on the north side of the New Waterway) and the Bunge Loders Croklaan vegoil refinery.
“This refinery in next to Neste’s renewable diesel plant at the Maasvlakte. Neste has announced they are in the site selection process for a new plant for renewable diesel and SAF and that Rotterdam is one of the potential locations.”
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