6 minute read
Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking petrochemical terminal
Arabian Chemical Terminals Abu Dhabi’s commercial manager Mike Cromack tells Tank Storage Magazine what it means to be the region’s first independent liquid petrochemical facility
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FOUNDED IN 1985, Arabian
Chemical Terminals (ACT) has grown and expanded its expertise to become a key service provider in the breakbulk and general supply chain segments in the GCC region. With no existing commercial tank terminal in Abu Dhabi, ACT is developing a new site there for liquids and gases: the Arabian Chemical Terminal Abu Dhabi (ACTAD). The twostage project at Khalifa Port will primarily serve KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi), ZonesCorp and ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi), and is ideally situated to become a new distribution hub in the United Arab Emirates. Tank Storage Magazine sat down with Mike Cromack, commercial manager at ACTAD to find out what makes the Abu Dhabi facility so forward-thinking.
CHOOSING A NEW LOCATION
The Abu Dhabi terminal location was central to ACTAD’s decision. ‘It is a massive benefit being here,’ says Cromack. ‘It is a bit of a blank canvas in the area between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is currently devoid of [breakbulk] services. Being first in and providing an excellent range of highquality services is a powerful combination here in Abu Dhabi.’ And whilst Abu Dhabi is a very new site for petrochemical facilities, ACT has deep and rich experience to draw on from elsewhere. ACTAD is the latest in a fleet of terminals owned and operated by the Reza Investment Company, a firm with a proven track record of operational excellence, which enabled it to win the competitive tender to create the Khalifa Port facility. The new site in Abu Dhabi is being completed by experts who have extensive hands-on experience. ‘ACTAD broke ground in Abu Dhabi in May 2021,’ says Cromack. ‘It is the first independent liquid petrochemical facility in Abu Dhabi.’ The facility is adjacent to KIZAD, which is attracting new industrial tenants day-byday. Cromack believes this will be key to ACTAD’s success, allowing the terminal to grow in harmony with other activities developing around it.
BREAKDOWN OF OPERATIONS
At present, the terminal is still in the early stages. ‘Tankage is currently being built,’ says Cromack. ‘ACTAD will initially consist of 40 main storage tanks. All tanks will be 2,500 m3 in size and store liquids. Services will include drumming and handling of ISO tankers as well as IBCs [intermediate bulk containers] plus a range of surveying and marine services.’ The first phase of ACTAD will see the company offering breakbulk services equal to any first-rate commercial terminal: storage, logistics, and handling, all vetted to leading international standards. Cromack says: ‘Being first in and doing it right first time is critical, but we have the strong success in Saudi Arabi to build on.’
It is a bold move but we’ll be providing a comprehensive offering and the time is right,’ says Cromack. ACTAD will initially use one-quarter of the total land area that has been reserved for the merchant terminal. The remaining three-quarters of the land will be used in the near future to expand its services and offerings, especially for bespoke tanks and a move to handling a range of gases. Service and product quality are central to what ACTAD does. ‘We have eliminated the possibility of any on-site material contamination occurring. Each of the 40 tanks will have dedicated lines and pumps from berth-to-tank-to-gantry to create a closed loop system and ensure the integrity of each and every product is guaranteed,’ says Cromack. ‘The second phase is where we can get even more directly involved with industrial partners and build specifically to their needs.’ Cromack also highlights that using local trades and materials was crucial for the project, especially due to its location. By keeping the construction, materials and project management services with local businesses, ACTAD has built a terminal using home-grown talent, boosting the local economy to serve an international customer base.
BESPOKE SOLUTIONS
ACTAD expects the biggest challenge to be project selection. ‘The sheer number of projects coming forward will be a challenge; there’s a lot of inquiries coming in,’ says Cromack. ‘We are filling Phase One well, as a merchant trade terminal. But Phase Two is a different proposition. The development will be driven by our clients’ particular needs which will clearly require specific capital investment and a longer-term commitment. Together with our clients we will go through a technical and commercial assessment before embarking on the full design. We expect this will involve a different range of materials as the drive to deliver more sustainable, alternative energy sources intensifies.’ However, ACTAD has the drive and capability to be flexible and versatile. Cromack suggests this gives the terminal an edge as it leaves an opportunity for ACTAD to work on such key issues immediately and directly with clients.
THE FUTURE OF STORAGE TERMINALS
The evolution of the sector is constant and ACTAD aims to help deliver new solutions by looking at what is possible and the consequences of the change. This innovative approach helps ACTAD to build deep and trusting relationships with clients based on collective understanding and an appraisal of the feasibility of ideas. Cromack believes that what makes ACTAD stand out is its connections and ability to simplify processes based on its vast range of expertise. Early engagement with potential clients, followed by an open and pragmatic exchange on what can be achieved is key. ‘This approach, using decades of experience to identify pinchpoints and to devise potential solutions to perceived problems, generates connected thinking and better results,’ he says.
ESG AND SUSTAINABILITY
ACTAD understands the importance of bringing focus to more sustainable products and services, and this is exactly what they are trying to do with its clients. Cromack says: ‘We work with clients closely to determine what their focus is and their needs may be. We are a service company, so the key thing is not to be a limiting factor or inhibitor, but rather an accelerator. We prefer to be engaged early and get the design and construction phases moving quickly. We bring learnings and extensive experience from our other projects, enabling us to progress more effectively and efficiently.’ The site has just achieved 1 million hours LTI-free (lost time injury). This is great for a new site with a large amount of heavy construction underway. ‘The design, construction and operating teams have a history of no compromise on safety and quality, repeatedly demonstrating a determination to do things right first time,’ says Cromack. From a social inclusion perspective, the new terminal is looking to recruit a diverse workforce. ‘We are starting right now as we speak. There is an evident drive to diversify gender in the company and bring in skilled people from different backgrounds,’ says Cromack. ‘As we are in the process of growing, it gives us the unique opportunity to be aware and sensitive now, and once again, to get it right first time.’ When complete in 2023, the facility’s capabilities will include strategic storage, industrial terminalling and specialised product handling of liquids and gases. It will perform several breakbulk functions for the import, export, and distribution of a broad range of basic and specialty chemicals including ammonia, hydrogen, LOHCs, hydrocarbons and vegetable products.
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For more information:
www.act-uae.com
01 ACTAD celebrates 1 million hours LTI-free
02 ACT construction at new Abu Dhabi site
