CO2next Reaches Big Milestone In Building Rotterdam’s CO2 Infrastructure

The CO2next project has reached a significant turning point, moving into a new development stage. 

This project aims to construct a specialized terminal at the Maasvlakte area in Rotterdam’s port. This terminal will handle liquid CO2, allowing companies without direct CO2 pipelines to transport and store it.

This facility represents a vital piece of infrastructure for capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CCS). 

CO2next is collaborating with the Aramis CCS project, to which the terminal will connect, to explore the technical possibilities and overall development of this CCS network.

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A major announcement from CO2next is their entry into the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase. They’ve also awarded the FEED contract to Sener, a respected engineering and technology firm.

This FEED phase will involve further refining the design of the CO2next terminal. It will also establish a construction schedule, estimate costs, and secure necessary permits. 

Additionally, the project will secure contracts with potential clients in preparation for the final investment decision (FID), which is currently anticipated for 2025.

An Open-Access Terminal For Cleaner Industries

The CO2next project envisions an open-access terminal accessible to various companies. Located at Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte area, the terminal will feature docks suitable for the Yangtze Canal. 

It will be equipped to receive and ship liquid CO2 by vessels and connect to depleted North Sea gas fields for storage through the Aramis pipeline. 

This infrastructure could also be used for other CCS initiatives and potentially support a future carbon utilization industry.

The CO2 infrastructure planned by CO2next aligns perfectly with the goals of the Dutch climate agreement and the European Green Deal. 

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The terminal will play a crucial role in establishing the necessary infrastructure and facilitating CO2 reduction for industries across Northwest Europe. It’s a significant step towards achieving a carbon-neutral port in Rotterdam by 2050.

In 2022, CO2next began discussions with potential clients. This has resulted in several companies expressing strong interest in utilizing the open-access terminal to meet their decarbonization goals. 

The terminal will have an initial capacity of roughly 5.4 million tonnes of CO2 per year (Mtpa), with the potential to expand to 15 Mtpa depending on market demand and the development of the Aramis project and other CCS initiatives.

Project Timeline And Partnerships

Assuming the necessary permits are granted by the relevant authorities, the CO2next terminal is currently expected to begin commercial operations in 2028, following the FID targeted for 2025. 

Shell and TotalEnergies have joined the CO2next project’s development, which was previously led by Gasunie and Vopak. Before the FID, the CO2next partners will undergo standard competition clearance procedures.

Fulco van Geuns, CO2next’s Project Director, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s progress: “We are pleased to see the CO2next project firming up. Carbon Capture and Storage is recognised as required to enable the decarbonisation of the hard to abate industries and we see a clear role for such a liquid CO2 terminal in the European CO2 infrastructure.”

“The same infrastructure may also be required to enable a Carbon Utilisation industry in future. We welcome Shell and TotalEnergies to the partnership and are looking forward to jointly deliver this project.”