Vopak has spent €30 million in repurposing 22 tanks at its Los Angeles terminal in California, USA, to establish a combined capacity of 148,000 m³ (39 million gallons).
The repurposing of the tanks allows a move away from traditional products to future fuels like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.
Vopak Los Angeles has a long-term agreement for this storage infrastructure with Neste, the world’s leading producer of SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable feedstock solutions for various polymers and chemicals industry uses. This has extended Neste’s capability to supply renewable fuels to customers on the US west coast.
The Vopak Los Angeles Terminal is strategically located in the Port of Los Angeles and is well-connected for logistics via various modes of transportation, including vessels, barges, trucks, pipeline, and trains. Having terminal capacity at this location will significantly increase the availability and accessibility of Neste’s renewable fuels to customers at critical hubs in the Los Angeles area, such as SAF for airlines at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the world’s largest airports, and renewable diesel (also locally known as R99) for fuelling stations serving road transportation all the way to San Diego.
‘Neste is fully committed to supporting the energy transition in the US as well as globally via working closely together with partners to increase the availability of our renewable fuels. Our cooperation with Vopak shows how repurposing existing fuel distribution infrastructure can accelerate the much-needed transition to renewable energy,’ says Annika Tibbe, acting president for Neste US.
‘California has been at the forefront of adopting and endorsing climate-friendly policies and solutions. We are glad to enable more cities, businesses and individual travellers in the state to take advantage of Neste’s renewable solutions to reduce their emissions and help fight against climate change,’ she adds.
Maria Ciliberti, Vopak president United States and Canada, says: ‘We are proud to serve Neste! Repurposing Vopak’s assets from oil and traditional fossil fuel products to low carbon energy solutions is right on target with our strategy. We are happy that our services and infrastructure have been selected and are committed to be a part of the Los Angeles energy transition.’
Port of Los Angeles executive director, Gene Seroka, adds: ‘The Port of Los Angeles congratulates Vopak for its work here at the Port converting nearly two dozen of its tanks to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and renewable low-carbon fuel sources. The Port of Los Angeles supports the use of lower carbon intense fuel options in the local transportation industry as we progress towards our own zero emission goals beginning in 2030.’
