Medhyterra project: a low-carbon ammonia import terminal

SUMMARY

PROJECT

Molecules

• NH3

Status:

• Planned

LOCATION

Country:

• France

Port Authority:

• Grand Port Maritime de Marseille

COMPANIES

GLE member:

• Elengy

Other companies:

• Trammo

OTHER

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Project description

The new terminal would comprise:

• Transfer facilities for loading and unloading ships carrying ammonia, on the existing jetty;
• A cryogenic ammonia storage tank (-33°C at atmospheric pressure, in liquid state) with a capacity of around 30,000 m³;
• A pipeline supplying nearby industrial sites;
• Railcar loading bays;
• Tanker loading bays;
• A connection to the French national railway network;
• Safety devices including an emergency purification column and a vent;
• Utility networks (cooling/heating water, nitrogen, instrument air, electricity, fire-fighting network, fuel gas)

How ammonia is transported to the terminal?

The Fos Tonkin terminal could receive around 200,000 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia per year, representing between 10 and 15 ship unloading operations per year.

Ammonia storage, management and processing at the terminal

A tank of around 30,000 m³ would store the ammonia and keep it in liquid form, at -33°C, pending distribution. An installation would enable ammonia to be diluted with water to obtain ammonia, in proportions that could be parameterized according to customer requirements.

How is ammonia shipped from the terminal?

• Distribution by pipeline to neighboring industrial sites;
• Distribution by train;
• Distribution by tanker truck.

Commercial outlets

In terms of supply and outlets, Elengy is considering a partnership with Trammo, a world leader in the transport and marketing of raw materials such as ammonia. Trammo would supply the terminal from its worldwide portfolio, using its fleet of dedicated vessels, and would distribute to its customers the ammonia it would collect on leaving the terminal.

Environmental aspects

The Dossier de demande d’autorisation environnementale (DDAE, Application for environmental authorisation) to be submitted by Elengy in 2025 will demonstrate the project’s compliance with environmental impacts and issues. In accordance with the French Environment Code (article R.181-13), this file will include a technical presentation describing the facility, the planned works, the processes implemented, the means of monitoring and surveillance, as well as an environmental impact study and a hazard study.

At this stage in the project’s development, the impact study has not yet been initiated, and should be launched in early 2025. It will be available for consultation during the public inquiry phase scheduled for the second half of 2025.

The environmental impact study will cover land, sea and air aspects, and will be carried out in compliance with articles L122-3, R122-4 and R122-5 of the French Environment Code. This study will be the subject of additional specific studies.