Our Activities and Services

At terminals around the world products are stored for customers for some time, often under very specific conditions, such as temperature control, or they are blended to the desired specification.
Vopak’s terminals play a key role in the transit: products are transported from the terminal to end-users by vessel, railcar, tank truck or pipeline. We develop our services according to the product, market and functional requirements, often working with customers and/or strategic partners.

Different terminal functions

Our independent tank terminal network is responsible for a number of functions in the product’s journey from producer to end-user. Vopak distinguishes three types of terminals:

Hub Terminal
A hub terminal combines the tasks of an import-export-distribution terminal with that of a meeting point for trade. It is, in other words, a location that provides access to a market. The Vopak network comprises hubs in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) Region in Europe, Houston in the US, Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore in Asia.

Import-Export-Distribution Terminal
The logistical chain in bulk liquid import and export often involves transport by oceangoing vessel. For Vopak’s customers, the terminal can serve as a point of origin for inland distribution by inland shipping, pipeline, tank truck, or rail. Or alternatively it serves as collection point for small parcels, originating from an inland production facility, to create a large parcel for overseas export.

Industrial Terminal
The industrial terminal is a logistical center integrated via pipelines to every major petrochemical facility within an industrial complex. Within the complex, it supports product flows and the supply and export of feedstock and finished products.

New terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG)

Vopak entered the market for storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the import and distribution to a consumption area. The first terminal is currently being built in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and will be operational in 2011. Vopak and its partner Gasunie are the initiators and main shareholders of this independent terminal facility, called Gate terminal.Vopak is also participating in LNG projects in Rostock (Germany), Eemshaven (the Netherlands) and Fos-sur-Mer (France).

Sections mentioned below provide an overview of the key activities and services: