LBC & duisport: development of new ammonia terminal in the Ruhr industrial region

Click to learn more. Aerial view of Duisburg port in Germany, where LBC Tank Terminals and duisport will develop a new ammonia terminal. Source: duisport.

LBC Tank Terminals Group B.V. (LBC) and Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport) have signed an MoU for the joint development of an inland ammonia and CO₂ terminal in Duisburg, Germany, Europe’s largest inland port that is located at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers.

The terminal will operate as a satellite facility to LBC’s project in Vlissingen in the Netherlands where the company is developing a large-scale hub for ammonia import, storage and cracking. The Duisburg site is located in Germany’s industrial Ruhr region and offers significant logistical advantages. Ammonia will be transported by barge from Vlissingen to the Duisburg facility, which will have on-site infrastructure for ammonia cracking and for onward distribution across the country.

The connection between Vlissingen and Duisburg will enable seamless import, storage, and inland distribution of ammonia and hydrogen, and the collection and export of captured CO₂ for sequestration offshore.

Along with the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, the Vlissingen – Duisburg interconnection will strengthen the Rhine corridor into a sustainable logistics axis, unlocking a more efficient and environmentally friendly industrial supply to Europe. Operations of the new terminal operations are expected to commence by 2030.

LBC Tank Terminals was acquired by Mitsui OSK Lines in March 2025 with a goal to work towards building an ammonia logistics value chain. As part of the MOL Group, LBC has access to a robust fleet including containerships, bulk carriers, oil and chemical carriers, LNG carriers, car carriers and specialised vessels.

Following its acquisition of Evolution Terminals in December 2024, LBC has been developing the LBC Vlissingen Terminal, a deepwater port in the Netherlands which will have a storage capacity of 150,000 m³ ammonia, two deep sea jetties, three barge jetties and optional rail loading facilities as part of the first phase expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2028. LBC also ran a window for expression of interest from potential players interested in using ammonia cracking and storage capacity at the under development Terminal.

We look forward to joining forces with duisport in building a resilient connection between Vlissingen and Duisburg, supporting Europe’s hydrogen and CO₂ supply chains. This partnership unites leading logistics and terminal operations expertise to support the European industry in advancing sustainable solutions, and reflects our shared commitment to driving growth while accelerating decarbonisation across the region.

Frank Erkelens, CEO at LBC Tank Terminals, in his organisation’s official press release, 27 November 2025

Ports are key players in the energy transition. They create sustainable infrastructure and resilient supply chains. The joint project with LBC complements the already known plan to build a tank farm at Rheinkai Nord and opens up new opportunities for handling the energy sources of the future in the Port of Duisburg. This sends a strong signal for transformation in North Rhine-Westphalia.

duisport CEO Markus Bangen, in LBC’s official press release, 27 November 2025