MB Energy to build ammonia import terminal in Hamburg

German energy firm MB Energy (formerly Mabanaft) has secured a permit to build and operate a new ammonia import terminal in Hamburg.

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The import terminal will be built on the site of the Blumensand tank terminal in the Port of Hamburg.

MB Energy plans to import and redistribute ammonia via the terminal, with a potential to use it for bunkering in the future, the company said.

The energy company will build a new tank for the temporary storage of imported ammonia, as well as upgrade the existing berth for inland barges and seagoing vessels “to facilitate the import of this energy source.”

“The terminal is designed to handle lower‑carbon and renewable ammonia as well, subject to technical capabilities, market availability, and applicable regulatory requirements,” MB Energy said.

MB Energy has plans of a future feed-in facility linked to a cracker plant, where ammonia can be converted into hydrogen and potentially connected to a wider hydrogen grid. The proposed facility is expected to handle around 600,000mt/year of ammonia.

The permit, granted by Hamburg’s Authority for Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (BUKEA), now requires a final investment decision, the energy firm added.

“The planned terminal is expected to be Germany’s first large-scale ammonia import hub,” the company claimed.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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