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Oiltanking Terneuzen B.V. is due to expand the storage capacity of its terminal in Terneuzen, Netherlands, after signing a long-term contract with Norwegian energy company Statoil, for storage services.

The agreement, which will come into effect in 2013, will strengthen Oiltanking’s position in the ARA oil and chemicals market and reinforce Statoil’s trading portfolio in North-western Europe.

The capacity of the terminal is set to increase by 317.000 cubic metres (cbm) to 472.500 cbm. The expansion enhances the construction of 16 product flexible storage tanks with subsequent pumping, pipeline and vapour recovery facilities.

"Oiltanking Terneuzen B.V. shall provide sustainable and state-of-the-art storage technology in line with the latest environmental standards. Next to that, a new 2/4 combination jetty will be built in cooperation with Zeeland Seaports, facilitating large seagoing ships with simultaneous barge movements and hence insuring a very reliable service," the company said.

The Terneuzen terminal has access to deep-sea port facilities for vessels up to 60,000 dwt. In addition it provides access to the most important international road- and rail networks.

The state of the art terminal currently has a capacity of 155,500 cbm with tanks ranging from 1,000 cbm up to 20,000 cbm. Stainless and mild steel as well as low-pressure tanks are available, all equipped with dedicated connections to both jetties and the loading racks for tanktrucks and railcars. All tanks have a cup-tank* construction, and are in accordance with the latest environmental and safety standards.

Complemented by the existing Oiltanking terminals in Ghent and Antwerp, the aim of the Terneuzen terminal operation is to offer more versatile and flexible storage services in the ARA area.

* A cup tank is a metal wall surrounding a tank, or a "tank-in-a-tank", which serves as containment area in case of leakage. The cup tank design replaces bund walls resulting in less surface-occupation for a tank farm.