Mabanaft Advances Plans for Ammonia Import Terminal in Hamburg with Permit Submissions

On Friday, July 12th, Mabanaft, an energy company, submitted approval documents to the Hamburg Authority of Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture (BUKEA) for constructing an ammonia import terminal at its Blumensand tank terminal in the Port of Hamburg. The terminal aims to bolster hydrogen supply infrastructure.

Pending approval under the BImSchG, Mabanaft plans significant construction at its Blumensand tank storage site, wholly owned by its tank storage division. This initiative aims to enable the import, storage, and processing of ammonia alongside existing facilities. Key measures include the demolition of two large petroleum storage tanks. The recent permit application submission marks a pivotal step toward realizing Mabanaft's ammonia import terminal.

Philipp Kroepels, Director of New Energy at Mabanaft, stated, "Through the planned import terminal in the Port of Hamburg, we aim to contribute another crucial element to the energy transition in the region." He continued, "Our goal is to facilitate the availability of innovative energy solutions like ammonia for shipping and further conversion into hydrogen."

As part of the permit application process, Mabanaft attended a scoping meeting with BUKEA and other stakeholders in January 2024. The meeting aimed to define the scope of the voluntary Environmental Impact Assessment (Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung, UVP) and the required submission documents. In spring and summer 2023, Mabanaft also conducted an application conference and a HazID analysis to assess maritime risks effectively.

In November 2022, Mabanaft announced plans, alongside German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Dr. Robert Habeck and Hamburg's First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher, to develop facilities for importing and handling ammonia at its Blumensand tank terminal in Hamburg's Port. The project includes modifying the existing jetty, demolishing two large tanks, constructing a new ammonia storage tank, and installing pipelines for ammonia transport. These facilities are slated for completion in 2027, with Mabanaft's investment totaling in the hundreds of millions.

Mabanaft Group stands as a prominent independent and integrated energy firm, offering innovative energy solutions tailored to transportation, heating, industrial, and agricultural requirements. The company excels in importing, distributing, and marketing petroleum products, natural gas liquids, chemicals, and biofuels. Mabanaft is committed to facilitating its customers' shift towards cleaner fuels by delivering sustainable, alternative solutions over the long term.

Since 1972, Oiltanking Deutschland, part of the Mabanaft Group, has been a key player in tank storage logistics and stands among Germany's largest independent operators of terminals for oils and biofuels. With ownership and operation of 11 terminals, the company boasts a combined storage capacity of 2.375 million cubic meters.