BTT loads first train

Botlek Tank Terminal (BTT) has loaded the first train at its new loading/unloading station.

The new station entered service on 2 April and loaded around 1,000 tonnes of biodiesel for export to a Bavaria-based refinery in Germany. The fuel was transferred from one of the storage tanks. In addition to Germany, the station will also be used to load and unload biodiesel going to and coming from Austria and Italy.

The project cost €2 million to build and was completed by a consortium of contractors in six months. It features two 340m tracks and can fill or empty six wagons simultaneously at a rate of 400 tonnes per hour.

BTT said in a statement: 'Driven by growing customer demand for rail transport, throughput is expected to rise quicklyfrom around two trains a week at the start to one train a day. The facility can also be modified to handle other oil products such as aviation fuels, gasoline, diesel and edible oils. In the medium-term, throughput could increase to two trains a day.'

BTT's existing terminal consists of 34 storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 200,000 m3. The company is looking to expand this in the near future to a maximum of 750,000m3.