Mega Asphalt Terminal to Open in London
A new bitumen distribution centre capable of storing 20,000 mega tons of asphalt is set to open in London next year.
International commodities trading and logistics company Trafigura Beheer BV, is pairing up with global bulk-liquid transportation, storage and distribution services firm, Stolt-Nielsen Limited.
Together they are creating a new bitumen distribution centre at Stolthaven Terminals’ Dagenham site, east of London.
“Bitumen is an increasingly global product with long range arbitrage becoming ever more common. This terminal will allow us to widen the UK’s supply options,” said John Bell, Trafigura’s UK and Ireland commercial manager.
Trafigura will be investing £15million into the venture over 10 years in this long term storage arrangement. Stolt-Nielsen bought out the storage area in late 2012 and is now operated by the company’s Stolthaven Terminals division.
Walter Wattenbergh, president of Stolthaven Terminals B.V said: “This long-term bitumen agreement is a good example of the kind of customer-specific storage and handling solution that we can provide at the Dagenham terminal, as we continue to enhance and expand this facility.”
The companies are meeting the demand for the UK highways industry as it is set to expand as the government invests billions over the next decade. By the middle of 2015, the facility will be capable of handling 20,000mts of the road building material.