Transport of ammonia via pipeline from the Zeeland section of North Sea Port is technically feasible, can be carried out safely, and is economically viable

North Sea Port, Smart Delta Resources, and the Province of Zeeland commissioned a feasibility study into an ammonia network from Vlissingen to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The study found that transport via pipeline can be carried out safely and is economically viable, provided certain conditions are met.

The study shows that a pipeline is technically feasible and could be a safe and economically viable option for transporting ammonia. The pipeline examined meets current safety standards, although this depends heavily on maintaining a high level of safety. In addition, sufficient volumes of ammonia would need to be transported through the pipeline to make it economically viable and to justify investment in a dedicated ammonia pipeline.

In the long term, an ammonia pipeline is the most cost‑effective mode of transport. This is evident from the transport cost analysis and the assessment of the economic break‑even point. However, demand for ammonia and the use of ammonia and hydrogen as alternative industrial energy sources remain uncertain in the coming years.

The expectation is that such a project will have a long lead time. Especially in the initial phase, transporting ammonia by rail and inland shipping will still be necessary to establish supply chains and a market with end users.

The results of the study form the starting point for the consortium partners to further explore how ammonia can play a safe role in the energy transition in the port, in Zeeland, the Netherlands, and the hinterland.

The industry within North Sea Port forms the largest hydrogen cluster in the Benelux. In addition to producing renewable hydrogen in the port area, the import of green ammonia will play a crucial role in accelerating the energy transition. Ammonia is considered a highly suitable hydrogen carrier and will be used to import green hydrogen from various countries. It will also serve as a sustainable fuel and feedstock. Within North Sea Port, there is therefore growing involvement from current and future companies in the production, transshipment, storage, and transit of ammonia.

A portion of the imported ammonia is expected to be converted locally (‘cracked’) back into hydrogen. This hydrogen can serve as an essential building block for sectors such as refining, chemicals, and steel. Another portion of the ammonia can be consumed directly in the region or transported via pipelines to the hinterland. As there is currently no pipeline network, inland shipping and rail are the main modes of transport for now.

Given the potential impact on external safety and the relatively limited availability of equipment and capacity in the rail and inland waterway infrastructure for these hinterland connections, this study examined the feasibility of an ammonia network. This network would connect at Moerdijk to the ammonia pipeline planned as part of the Delta Rhine Corridor, a pipeline route under development that will run from the port of Rotterdam through North Brabant to Limburg and Germany.

The study was carried out by consultants WSP and Aviv, with the participation of various market players within North Sea Port. It was also made possible with support from the Zeeland Public Interests Foundation.