Designing the future of energy terminals: Where safety meets innovation

Ron Heffron explores how clean alternative fuels are reshaping terminal design requirements in Offshore Energy. As Vice President of Future Fuels and chair of PIANC Working Group 153C, he examines the advanced engineering solutions enabling safe handling of challenging cargoes like ammonia and liquefied CO₂.

The article covers unique siting challenges for alternative fuel terminals, floating terminal technology designed to withstand extreme conditions and the evolution of comprehensive industry guidelines. Ron shares insights from projects like the AltaGas REEF in British Columbia, where innovative multi-buoy mooring systems significantly reduced capital costs.

With ammonia, hydrogen, methanol and sustainable aviation fuel terminals rapidly emerging, these new industry guidelines fill a crucial gap where no consistent design standards currently exist. The convergence of environmental regulations, technological advancement and market demand positions floating terminals and alternative fuel infrastructure as defining elements of the maritime energy transition.

 

Read the full article in Offshore Energy: Designing the future of energy terminals: Where safety meets innovation

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