China opens largest petrochemical port

ZHANJIANG, China – China’s largest petrochemical port has received its first vessel.

The New Renown, Crude Oil Tanker (VLCC) was welcomed at the new 300,000-ton crude oil terminal of the Sinopec Zhongke Refinery Port on a voyage fromthe Middel East.

Housed 1,100 metres from Sinopec’s refinery plant, the petrochemical port has eight terminals, including a 300,000-ton crude oil berth, 100,000-ton oil berth and supporting facilities — providing a total capacity of 34 million tons per year.

To date, the 100,000-ton berth is China’s largest domestic refined oil terminal with a loading and unloading capacity of 5.61 million tons per year.

The terminal provides convenient access to refined oil and chemical products for Sinopec’s core domestic market, while also offering direct opportunities for global exports.

Situated on the east coast of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, the Sinopec Zhongke Refinery Port is part of Zhanjiang Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Complex — the biggest project of its kind under construction by Sinopec Corp, and a key component of the Guangdong Province’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

The total investment of the first phase of the project totals more than 40 billion CNY (approximately $7 billion) and will add over 10 million tons of refined crude oil capacity and 800,000 tons of ethylene units per year, in addition to auxiliary supporting facilities.

At completion, it’s estimated that the output of the refinery will exceed 60 billion CNY ($11.8 billion). Additional output will aid the development of the downstream industrial chain of the refining and chemical industry.

At present, more than 18,000 builders are currently working on-site as part of the project, and 28 of the 30 major production facilities have been delivered. The final project is expected to be fully completed and put into production by the end of July.