Total UK and Vopak join forces
Companies sign long-term agreement to create new bitumen import facilities near London
TOTAL UK Ltd and Vopak Terminal London Ltd have signed a long-term agreement to construct new bitumen import and delivery facilities near London.
As the leading refiners and marketers of bitumen in Europe, this venture reinforces the Total Group’s continued investment strategy for the bitumen business in the UK. The bitumen will be supplied by sea via the Group’s extensive network of bitumen production facilities.
The partnership with Royal Vopak, the largest independent tank storage services providers in the world, will complement Total’s existing bitumen assets in the UK with additional storage capacity and the option for further expansion.
Scheduled to open mid 2016, the new facility will be built and operated by Vopak Terminal London, taking advantage of existing land and jetty facilities at their major oil products terminal in Grays, on the river Thames.
Commenting on the venture Rick Ashton, Total Bitumen’s Market Development Manager said 'The development of our southern terminal comes at an important time for the supply chain when the UK Government has confirmed major investment is planned for the strategic highways network.
‘The market is already becoming reliant on imports due to the closure of several bitumen facilities over the last five years, so this agreement demonstrates Total’s commitment to supply-chain security and the consolidation of a sustainable business in the UK market. Total intend to support their partners and the country’s road infrastructure plans in the coming years.’
Ian Cochrane, managing director of Vopak Terminals UK, commented: ‘Vopak are delighted to be able to deliver the facilities for Total’s bitumen activity at their London terminal, which enjoys an excellent location on the river Thames and adjacent to the main motorway network for supply to the London and South East market.’
Total are well established suppliers of bitumen and speciality (high-performance) bitumen in the UK, providing ‘sustainability through durability’. The company’s high-performance bitumens provide lower working temperatures and durable solutions. Total UK’s extensive product range includes emulsion, clear binder and Total Styrelf polymer-modified bitumen.
