Heavy lift vessel is key to the move.

Discharge operations at the Port of Antwerp
Discharge operations at the Port of Antwerp

A major development in the Antwerp region is the INEOS Project ONE, which is located within the industrial zone of the Port of Antwerp and represents one of the largest investments in Europe’s chemical sector for decades.

It entails the construction of an advanced ethane cracker and propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit, which is expected to bring substantial economic and environmental benefits by producing ethylene and propylene with much lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods.

In January, project freight forwarder deugro announced that it had delivered ten storage bullets and further equipment from China to the Port of Antwerp. The cargo units, some weighing up to 738 metric tons, were loaded onto the DP2 heavy lift crane vessel Jumbo Fairplayer and the K3000-class heavy lift vessel Jumbo Fairmaster.

The first vessel to sail was the Jumbo Fairplayer, loading two C4 product storage bullets and three C4 import storage bullets with a total volume of 25,286.20 CBM weighing 2,857.80 metric tons. Three weeks later, the Jumbo Fairmaster followed, carrying two PGP and three CGP storage bullets—totalling 25,286.20 CBM and weighing 3,690 metric tons.

“A challenge was to identify and secure sufficient vessel space on suitable heavy lift vessels with the appropriate lifting capacities and within the tight schedule of only six weeks, from the receipt of the order to loading,” said Kai von Taube, Head of Global Chartering at deugro.

“Such vessels, which can safely handle and ship sensitive oversized and heavy lift components, are limited and often booked for considerable periods in advance. However, thanks to our many years of experience and long-standing strategic carrier relationships, we were able to secure the required vessel space within just two weeks.”

The first two furnaces destined for Project ONE have also been delivered. Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: ‘The arrival of the first furnaces for Project ONE marks a crucial milestone for Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the European chemical sector.

“This project not only strengthens Antwerp’s role as a strategic hub but also helps anchor a forward-looking and sustainable industry in Europe. This investment is necessary for the European economy, and we are therefore proud to see this progress at the port and look forward to the further realization of this pioneering investment.”