In dit artikel van Europoort Kringen deelt Erik Kleine, General Manager Europe bij LBC Tank Terminals, inzicht in het Rainbow III-project. Deze duurzame uitbreiding van de terminal in Rotterdam, met 36 additionele opslagtanks en een nieuw laadstation voor bloktreinen, verhoogt de capaciteit naar 260.000 m³. Kleine belicht hoe LBC met deze investering inspeelt op de toenemende vraag naar chemische opslag en ruimte creëert voor nieuwe, energie-transitiegerichte producten.
English version below
More capacity, achieved sustainably
The Rainbow III project at the LBC terminal in Botlek, Rotterdam
At its Botlek terminal, LBC is advancing the Rainbow III expansion project, constructing 36 new tanks and a rail station for block trains. Erik Kleine, General Manager Europe of the tank storage company, discusses this in Europoort Kringen.
Q: You’ve been in the tank storage industry for many years. What keeps you interested?
A: "It’s been seventeen years since I entered this industry. The combination of operational and strategic aspects is what appeals to me. On one hand, you’re involved in daily terminal activities, safely and efficiently loading ships and trucks 24/7. On the other, this sector requires capital-intensive decisions with a 30- to 40-year outlook. I enjoy this blend of short- and long-term focus."
Q: Are these aspects part of your daily work?
A: "I’m responsible for three terminals in Europe: two in Antwerp and one in Rotterdam. I’m not usually involved in operations unless necessary, focusing instead on large strategic expansion projects and team leadership. Ultimately, tank storage is a people-oriented business, and putting the right people in the right roles is essential."
Q: What characterizes the Botlek terminal?
A: "The terminal focuses on chemicals, not oil products. We store intermediate chemicals—products requiring specific handling expertise, which we have. Currently, we’re expanding the Botlek terminal, raising capacity from 174,000 to 260,000 cubic meters. LBC acquired the terminal from Dow in 1999, and we’ve since been upgrading and expanding it in phases, replacing older infrastructure with new."
Q: How does this terminal fit into LBC’s portfolio?
A: "We have a terminal in Houston with a capacity of one million cubic meters. Once the Rotterdam expansion is complete, it will be the company’s second-largest financial contributor."
Q: Why expand in Botlek?
A: "First, it’s in the heart of the petrochemical sector, a true AAA location. Additionally, Europe’s chemical manufacturing industry has faced challenges, which is also evident in Rotterdam, where factories are either closing or operating at reduced capacity. Consequently, imports of chemical products have increased to meet demand. These products often come from regions like the U.S. and Middle East, where raw material and energy costs are lower. This development has raised demand for our services. Moreover, we want to use our infrastructure for storing new products important for the energy transition. For instance, LBC has become a hub for plastics-to-liquids in Rotterdam. In the tank storage business, once basic infrastructure like jetties, offices, and utilities are in place, economies of scale allow for more tank storage."
Q: What does the Rainbow III project entail?
A: "We’re constructing three new tank pits with 36 tanks and building a new rail station for loading and unloading block trains. Currently, we’re driving 2,000 piles into the ground for the tank pits. The expansion will be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026."
Q: Did you complete the Rainbow I and II projects before this?
A: "Yes, we’re working on a phased master plan. Rainbow I, completed in 2017, involved two tank pits (36,000 cubic meters), a new truck loading station, and a new jetty. Four years later, Rainbow II added two new tank pits (70,000 cubic meters) and doubled jetty capacity."
Q: Is Rainbow III the final phase?
A: "No, we’ll continue through Rainbow V. Once complete, the terminal will have a total storage capacity of 350,000 cubic meters."
Q: Are you approaching this expansion sustainably?
A: "We’re committed to reducing our impact. Rainbow III exemplifies our focus on circularity. When demolishing infrastructure, we reuse waste materials, for example, as road foundations. We’re also reusing a former university building as housing for our contractors and project team."
Q: What’s particularly interesting about projects like these?
A: "A project’s success depends on three criteria: on-time delivery, staying within budget, and safety. Balancing these can be challenging. Rushing can compromise safety, so finding a balance is essential. Furthermore, the terminal remains operational during construction. It’s crucial to serve our existing customers safely and effectively while expanding. I enjoy solving this puzzle, especially when it’s complex."
Q: Are you affected by nitrogen regulations?
A: "No, we applied for and were granted a new permit, including nitrogen emissions, in 2021."
Q: What’s your focus in this phase of the expansion?
A: "I’m not the project manager for Rainbow III but oversee it at a higher level to ensure everything runs smoothly. I’m also focused on recruiting and retaining the right people. Ensuring customer service remains safe and effective is also essential."
Q: Will increased storage capacity mean more staff?
A: "To a limited extent. We’re also pursuing digitalization and automation, enabling us to operate the expanded terminal with roughly the same team."
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: "Grid congestion is a serious concern. Our current electricity connection is barely enough for the current expansion. But for further expansions and sustainability efforts, we’ll need more electricity. This is crucial for the energy transition."