AquaChemie Middle East has broken ground on what is billed as a strategic, world-class petrochemical terminal in Jebel Ali Port, Dubai. The specialised bulk storage terminal is to have a total capacity of around 40,000CBM, of which 35,000CBM will be in bulk storage tanks and about 5,000CBM in ISO tanks and drums.
According to a statement, the $40m project will serve as a vital gateway, facilitating and boosting petrochemical trade between manufacturers and end-users in the Middle East and globally. It will also help address the shortage of storage facilities for redistribution and lease for bulk chemicals in Jebel Ali Port.
The project is scheduled for completion early in Q2 2022 and will be a turnkey, fully integrated distribution centre capable of handling bulk imports and packed chemicals at high volume. The terminal is designed to store flammable chemicals up to NFPA Class 1B. Over 100 chemicals of UN Class3 hazardous classification or non-hazardous chemicals can be stored in the facility’s nitrogen blanketed tanks, the company explained.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and MD of DP World, UAE region and CEO of JAFZA, and Abdulla bin Damithan, chief commercial officer, DP World, UAE region with others from DP World’s top management. Directors and key members of AquaChemie Middle East and other industry associates and well-wishers were also present.
“The petrochemical sector forms an integral part of DP World, UAE Region’s key industry clusters. Jebel Ali Port and JAFZA’s combined capabilities as an integrated hub that offers multimodal connectivity, caters to the extensive demand of the industry at the local and international level. Over the years, we have been providing a wide range of solutions to the region’s chemicals’ trade and logistics sector. We take pride in the fact that we can enable a regional distributor like AquaChemie. We are confident that this project will transform the business landscape of the petrochemicals segment that is underpinned by rapidly changing regulations, technology disruptions and evolving customer demands,” explained Al Muallem.
AquaChemie Middle East has appointed Mott MacDonald to undertake the project’s concept design, basic engineering, detailed engineering and PMC (Project Management Contract).
The key advantage of the 20,000sqm project is its strategic location, connected by four jetty pipelines, located only 500m from Jebel Ali Port Chemical Berth #4. The deep-water port is said to be the flagship facility of DP World.
Cherian George, project manager at AquaChemie stated, “I am looking forward to the commissioning of this state-of-the-art facility, with utmost importance to safety and quality, within the strict budget and time schedule. Moreover, we are fortunate to receive from DP World, UAE region a very strategic location for our new project.”
Subrato Saha, co-founder and director of AquaChemie Middle East remarked, “Being associated with the petrochemicals industry for over three decades, I am excited to soon play a direct role in the distribution of additional 100-150 KTA (Kilo tonnes per annum) of over 50 petrochemicals globally. This new petrochemical facility will make us a sizeable industry player, responsibly focused on Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE)”.