In the middle: Sander Kerpel
Safely, within budget and on schedule, the expansion of Neste's terminal in Vlaardingen was realised last spring. KH Engineering played a key role in this as the EPCm contractor. Terminal Manager Fred van Vugt and Maintenance Manager Sander Kerpel explain why this project was a great success.
‘In 2020, Neste decided to double the capacity of our existing terminal’, says Fred van Vugt, Terminal Manager at Neste. ‘This is due to the increasing demand for renewable diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Our biofuels plant on the Rotterdam Maasvlakte is also expanding. Neste is creating solutions to combat climate change and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Increasing the production of biofuels fits into this plan. To supply enough feedstock, we wanted to expand the Vlaardingen terminal for supply, storage and blending. A new tank pit was realised with new tanks, truck loading and a service building.’
Pace
‘The pace of this project was a major challenge’, continues Sander Kerpel, Maintenance Manager at Neste. ‘Of course, safety always comes first, but right after that was the timeline. We wanted the expansion to be operational by early 2023, and a lot had to happen for that.’
Close collaboration
The choice of KH Engineering as the EPCm contractor was made quickly, says Fred. ‘We wanted to work with an engineering firm that knows the terminal world well and can be flexible and pragmatic with both the technology and the schedule. KH Engineering meets all these requirements and has helped us excellently.’ ‘We formed a team with people from both Neste and KH Engineering and got straight to work’, says Sander. ‘We met very regularly and worked closely together. That's important to us: you can only complete such a large project well if you work closely together, are open with each other and make expectations clear on both sides.’
Left: Fred van Vugt
Effective communication
Both Fred and Sander are very satisfied with KH Engineering's performance and with the expansion of the terminal. ‘The collaboration went smoothly. Of course, you have good discussions every now and then, but that's just part of such a project’, Fred believes. ‘The most important thing is that we've managed to complete the project in a safe manner, within budget and schedule, and without any teething problems. Good communication between those involved is crucial. Especially since we decided at some point to deliver the project in phases. A period of two and a half months followed, where construction and operation ran simultaneously. That requires a lot of carefulness, while you also want to keep the pace going. It's really great that we succeeded.’
Pride
You can tell from everything that Fred and Sander are proud of the project. ‘During the festive inauguration, we took a moment to reflect on it’, says Sander. ‘We gathered and celebrated a little party in the nearby Delta Hotel. KH Engineering had made a nice video of the project for us, as well as a 3D scan, allowing us to take a virtual walk through the new expansion.’
Further growth
‘KH Engineering will continue to be involved here in a number of smaller projects we're currently working on. The energy and raw materials transition continues to evolve, and I find it fascinating how quickly developments are happening. Who knows what new circular fuels and raw materials we'll be able to make?’ concludes Fred.
Sander agrees. ‘Both of us have a background in the fossil industry. I'm not saying I enjoyed my work there any less, but it feels good to now really be able to contribute significantly to combating climate change.’
For more information about Neste: https://www.neste.com/en