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Our aim is to help you make your storage terminals more environmentally friendly.

Adhering to the Paris Agreements and striving after the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) becoming carbon neutral is one thing. However, there are still so many more areas in which sustainability can be implemented.

In this article, we provide you with ten ways to make your terminal more environmentally friendly and five good reasons to do so.

Why a green tank terminal? The main reason should obviously be that you are convinced, as we are, of the fact that you can make your own little improvement to the earth’s natural environment, even when working in the energy industry. To be a green tank terminal is proof of your commitment. It will convince and motivate your stakeholders.

Customers

For a client at a tank terminal, internal or external, it is today essential to realize that they work with suppliers committed to minimising their ecological footprint. To be a Green Tank Terminal is proof of this.

Investors and banks

Investors and banks are more and more reluctant to commit themselves to unsustainable activities. Being a Green Tank Terminal will convince them of your commitment to the environment.

Governmental authorities

Being a Green Tank Terminal certificate will fit seamlessly with the environmental goals of your permitting authorities. The discussion with the governmental authorities will be much easier when they are convinced that you are committed to minimizing your environmental footprint.

General Public and Media

The general stance of the public, driven by the media and environmental organizations, is generally rather negative towards the oil industry in general. What is more convincing than being a Green Tank Terminal to convince them that you are actually not that bad?

Personnel

Also the personnel working at the terminal struggles with the environmental impact of the company they work for. Being a Green Tank Terminal will motivate and convince them that their efforts to minimize pollution during their work are worthwhile. 

 If the above five reasons convince you to make your terminal more sustainable, then below you will find ten ways to do so.

Air pollution

The main source of air pollution by a tank terminal storing petroleum products is the emission so-called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC): hydrocarbons with a high vapour pressure like gasoline.

Soil Pollution

Spills of petroleum products are the main source of soil pollution on an oil terminal. Spills from the primary containment (tanks, pipelines) are typically contained by secondary and tertiary containment measures.

Water pollution

Water pollution from tank terminals is mainly caused by the drainage of hydrocarbon spills and leakages via the sewage system.

Energy use

Tank terminals are not large consumers of energy compared to other heavy industries. The exhaust from energy sources can however be reduced by minimizing consumption and using sustainable energy sources.

Environmental management

Reducing the environmental footprint of a tank terminal typically requires long-term investments. The required long-term dedication to environmental improvement can only be guaranteed by means of continuous environmental management.

Visual pollution

A tank terminal typically consists of a number of large, white, ‘shoeboxes’ standing out in the landscape. Especially in densely populated areas this is considered to pollute the horizon.

Noise

Tank terminals are operated day and night. Especially during the night the noise of pumps and generators might disturb neighboring residential areas.

Stench

Some of the products stored at tank terminals reek or actually stink. In large oil ports this is a common provocation for complaints from residential areas miles downwind from the terminal.

Sustainable utilities

Many utilities are required for the operation of tank terminals, varying from a common office building to heavy duty firefighting equipment. With a little bit of thought and dedication, the environmental footprint of these utilities can be minimized.

Stakeholder communication

Clarity about the environmental footprint of a terminal and about the efforts put into reducing this footprint will ease relations with stakeholders like the public, local authorities and customers.