Hamburg ammonia terminal gets greenlight

The approval from Hamburg’s Authority for Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (BUKEA) provides the energy company with a permit to construct and operate the terminal at the port from its enport – Terminal Hamburg-Blumensand site.

“Following a highly constructive permitting process on both sides, we are pleased to have the official document in our hands, marking a key milestone in taking the project forward,” said Volker Ebeling, Senior Vice President New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure at MB Energy.

“It sends a strong signal towards a future-oriented and reliable supply of energy and raw materials.”

German milestone

The project is designed to strengthen port infrastructure while enabling the import and redistribution of ammonia, a key alternative shipping fuel and hydrogen carrier. 

In addition, it will support the domestic ammonia market and contribute to scaling the hydrogen economy, with long-term implications for shipping’s energy transition.

Ammonia can also be used in gas-fired power generation and as an industrial raw material, broadening its role in future energy systems.

Plans include constructing a new storage tank, upgrading berths for inland and seagoing vessels, and installing rail loading facilities.

With an estimated throughput of 600,000 tonnes annually, the site may also integrate a future cracker plant to convert ammonia into hydrogen for connection to emerging grid infrastructure.

Subject to a final investment decision, the facility will be developed at the Blumensand tank terminal site and is expected to become Germany’s first large-scale ammonia import hub. 

MB Energy, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Hamburg, is an independent, integrated energy company with operations across Europe, the United States and Singapore. The company engages in the import, storage, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products, LPG, chemicals and biofuels.