Shell plans the construction of a new Solvent Deasphalter (SDA) at its refinery in Pernis, Rotterdam. Yet, before the unit can enter into full service later this year, its massive components first have to be moved to their new site.
The construction of the SDA will enable the plant to separate heavier fractions from crude oil, so that a larger share of the petroleum can be processed into lighter, high-grade products.
Shell Pernis is Europe’s largest refinery complex. 'The most important outcome of this large-scale investment in the SDA unit is that we will be able to produce a higher volume of clean products from the same barrel of oil,' says Jos van Winsen, General Manager of Shell Pernis. 'After removing asphalt from a stream of petroleum products, other plants can use them as a feedstock for more lighter, high-grade products like gasoline and diesel oil. This allows us to increase the flexibility of our refinery and simultaneously improve the environmental footprint of our product portfolio.'
Block of Flats
Rotterdam was a logical choice for Shell for its logistics connections shipping, both by land and by water. Connections that immediately proved useful: The SDA is made up of ten individual modules – each of them is as large as a sizeable block of flats. These modules were all transported to Rotterdam by sea.
Stability
'We were working on this transport and all the necessary preparations for over 18 months,' notes Agility Project Logistics Operations Manager Leon van Veenendaal looking back. 'Stability was a particularly challenging aspect of this job. At 30 m high, 35 m long and 14 m wide, the units are very tall and narrow. Still, the entire project ran without a hitch, thanks to close collaboration within Rotterdam’s heavy lift and breakbulk cluster.'
Heavy Lift and Breakbulk Cluster
Rolldock took care of transport over water, the Schiedam firm of Mammoet handled the final leg of the journey over land, and Agility bore responsibility for the overall coordination. 'It’s a good, real-life example of what a fantastic breakbulk port Rotterdam actually is,' says Van Veenendaal. 'It not only has quays for a job like this and all the required know-how and equipment. You also see that they have the right mindset here to bring a mega project like this to a successful conclusion. I feel sincerely proud of both our collaboration and the end result.'
Watch a video of the transport below (by the Port of Rotterdam).
