Bay port to house world’s largest gas storage tanks
GROUND was officially broken at the Bidvest Tank Terminal (BTT) within the Port of Richards Bay ahead of construction on what will be the world’s largest LPG storage tanks. The R1-billion Mounded Liquefied Petroleum Gas import and storage facility will ensure a cost-effective, reliable and safe energy source for southern Africa. It will also provide security and reliability of supply, effectively putting an end to what has been the biggest obstacle to the increased use of LPG in South Africa. Currently, South Africa uses 400 000 tonnes of LPG each year and the Bay’s storage facility could increase this capacity by a further 200 000 tonnes annually. ‘An increased LPG supply will result in the fuel becoming a significant alternative to South Africa’s current energy supply, with little additional infrastructure required,’ said David Leisegang, Bidvest Tank Terminals’ Managing Director. ‘From an engineering point of view it’s a noteworthy achievement. ‘The facility will comprise four 5 650 tonne tanks, the largest such tanks in the world, and dedicated 24-hour road tanker and railcar loading facilities will ensure a reliable supply 365 days a year. ‘The facility will have a substantial downstream effect on the wholesale and distribution industries, and of course on the southern African consumer.’ Petrochemical trading and distribution company, Petredec, will ship the LPG from the USA and Middle East, offloading the gas at the Richards Bay storage facility. The LPG will then be transported by road and rail across the country and into southern Africa. Petredec has been selling LPG in South Africa for 15 years and chose the Port of Richards Bay for the storage facility owing to its existing rail infrastructure. ‘Our commitment to the development of the southern African LPG market underlines our confidence in the growth potential of this region,’ said Petredec CEO Giles Fearn. The tanks will be commissioned in 2020.