New Energy Gate – import terminal for renewable energies Interview with Reza Adami, Head of Storage, Mabanaft Group, Managing Director, Oiltanking Deutschland

EEHH: Which energy projects is Mabanaft currently implementing at the Port of Hamburg?

Reza Adami: “We feel a special connection to the Port of Hamburg because of our history. After all, our company was founded here in Hamburg almost 78 years ago. With our two tank depots in Blumensand and Waltershof, Mabanaft is in an ideal location here at the Port of Hamburg. Our infrastructure is also here. We use this to unload, store and transport just under a million cubic metres of liquid fuels by rail, water and road. We started constructing our largest tank depot in Germany – Blumensand – back in 1970. So these are the hubs we use to bring fuels from renewable energies to market via the Port of Hamburg. The aim behind all of this is to offer our customers the optimum fuel solutions, thereby supporting them during the energy transition.”

We are currently working hard on our New Energy Gate, an import terminal for new energies, integrated into our Blumensand tank depot. We plan to adapt our infrastructure so that we can handle ammonia, starting in 2028. Firstly, we can make ammonia available directly to the industrial sector or as fuel for shipping. Secondly, the project will involve our anchor customer converting ammonia into hydrogen. At present, we are also working on a plan to convert four of our current Blumensand tanks for the future storage of low-carbon methanol. Methanol is an interesting alternative to conventional solutions, especially for shipping. We have already signed letters of intent to supply companies such as TUI Cruises with methanol. In addition, we are exploring and developing various solutions for the supply of green hydrogen in Hamburg and Germany and analysing how to achieve small-scale local production of green hydrogen here in Hamburg, among other things. Our existing infrastructure lends itself perfectly to this task.  So we have plenty of things in the pipeline.

And this is also reflected in our involvement in the Sustainable Energy Hub Hamburg initiative. In conjunction with other companies, this initiative is specifically committed to raising awareness of the Port of Hamburg as an energy port among business leaders, politicians and the general public.”

EEHH: In which other countries is Mabanaft currently active in the hydrogen/ammonia sector?

Reza Adami: “We are committed to providing a broad and diverse range of fuel solutions. One example is in Texas City, USA, where we are involved in an ammonia production plant that is about to go into operation. We have a dual role there as both investors and buyers of ammonia. We have signed a letter of intent with the US company Pattern Energy. The underlying aim is to produce green ammonia in the Canadian provinces of Labrador and Newfoundland. In this project, Mabanaft would buy the green ammonia. And in Australia, we are working on an innovative pilot project to produce sustainable methanol, together with a local partner who specialises in solar thermal energy systems.

EEHH: What do you think the Port of Hamburg will look like as an energy hub a decade from now?

Reza Adami: “The Port of Hamburg has always been an important energy hub, thanks to all its tank terminals, shipping traffic, excellent geographical location and outstanding connections to the hinterland. With the energy transition in mind, we are all determined to focus port operations more strongly on renewable energies. But from my work at Mabanaft, I also know that this transformation process will take time. There are so many cogs in the wheel and they all influence each other. Quite aside from the involvement of so many political and business bodies, as well as customers, there are also approval processes and regulations to consider. But nonetheless, we remain convinced that the Port of Hamburg will steadily consolidate its position as a new energy hub. We will continue to throw all our weight behind this venture.”

Thank you very much for this interesting and informative interview!