Returning to the people

How a former NATO facility storing liquid bulk in the mountains has transformed into a modern, strategic storage terminal The port of Arendal has a long maritime tradition as one of Norway’s key shipping cities. With easy access to the open sea, the port has deep quays, no height restrictions, and the equipment to handle everything from standard cargo to more complex offshore and project operations. In 2020, Port of Arendal took charge of the Sandvikodden tank facility – originally built during the Cold War and a former NATO facility – which is an exclusive ship-based terminal handling liquid bulk cargoes, like HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil). This operational simplicity positions the terminal as an expert, not only in maritime logistics, but in preparation for Europe’s energy transition. With six steel tanks mounted into the solid rock landscape, this is a particularly interesting storage terminal. Unconventional storage Moving away from traditional aboveground storage tanks, Sandvikodden uses the mountainside to create a secure, multi-layered containment system, with steel, concrete, and solid rock. This design brings significant safety, environmental and...