A new terminal will be built on the Mersey to handle imports of green ammonia by Stanlow Terminals. Tony McDonough reports

Stanlow Terminals is to build a new import terminal for green ammonia on the River Mersey.

Part of oil giant Essar, which operates the giant Stanlow oil refinery, Stanlow Terminals will build the new facility at the Peel Ports-owned Tranmere Oil Terminal, close to the Cammell Laird shipyard. More than 200 oil tankers already call at the terminal each year.

Essar also operates terminals on the Manchester ship canal and that sees around 500 vessels a year coming up and down the river.

Green ammonia is a highly effective liquid carrier of hydrogen, which allows for the safe and cost-efficient transport of hydrogen at scale.

It will enable the import and storage of more than 1m tonnes per year of green ammonia for onwards distribution into the UK or conversion back to green hydrogen for supply to the North West’s industrial customers.

Development is part of the recently announced Essar Energy Transition. This is creating a £2bn Hydrogen energy transition hub as part of the £47bn HyNet North West hydrogen project.

This hydrogen will be used by a wide range of industries in the region, including as a sustainable fuel for marine shipping and to help decarbonise energy usage.

Green ammonia is a crucial component in the development of the global hydrogen economy.

Once operational, the new terminal will put Stanlow Terminals at the heart of the global hydrogen energy market, with ready access to large scale international green ammonia imports. It is scheduled to begin operations in 2027.

Michael Gaynon, chief executive of Stanlow Terminals, said: “This new terminal is the latest milestone in Stanlow Terminal’s and Essar’s ongoing commitment to leading the UK’s low carbon transformation.

“By investing in new energies infrastructure and building a secure supply chain of green ammonia into the UK, we are building on our expertise in storing and blending of bulk liquids to put the North West economy at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition to net zero.”

READ MORE: 740 tankers and 9m tonnes of crude oil in the Mersey each year

This latest announcement was welcomed by Chris Shirling-Rooke, chief executive of industry body Mersey Maritime. He added: “As the fastest growing maritime region in the UK, the Mersey is once again at the forefront of global maritime innovation.

“We welcome this announcement from Stanlow Terminals and welcome the commitment to support our environmental goals, and to see a positive impact on jobs and growth in our coastal communities.”