VTTI adds biofuels in Florida

VTTI has invested $2.5m to enable its Seaport Canaveral terminal to receive, blend and distribute biofuels. The project involved the retrofitting of heating to one of the storage tanks at the site, to prevent the biodiesel blendstocks thickening in cold weather. The project also included new distribution pipelines and a fully automatic truck loading system that can deliver blends in the range of B5 to B20.

“We see a clear market for biofuel, with federal mandates and the incentive to earn tradeable ‘energy credits’ both driving a move in this direction,” says Juriaan Steenland, general manager of the VTTI terminal. “This may intensify from 2015 with possible new regulations requiring cruise ships to switch from heavy bunker fuel to the friendlier diesel-grade oil. We’re ready for them.”

The Seaport Canaveral site, which opened for business in 2010 (HCB May 2010, page 43), offers storage capacity of 450,000 m³ in 24 tanks, primarily for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and fuel oil. A dedicated pipeline supplies bunker fuel to the cruise terminal at Port Canaveral.

VTTI also reports that its new terminal in Kenya is ready and is just waiting for final permits before opening its doors. The first phase of construction at the site in Mombasa comprises six tanks with a total capacity of 55,000 m³, together with a truck loading gantry and links to the Kenya Pipeline Co line.

Piling is complete on the four tanks that will comprise the second phase of construction and will add another 58,000 m³ of capacity. These are due to be completed in August or September this year.

www.vtti.com