“Second World War ammunition were discovered at the site. Independent surveys are conducted for verifying what should be done and how great are the risks for construction,” – said Louis Monninkhof, representative of the Port of Rotterdam.

A source familiar with the project, told Reuters that because of problems with the ammunition terminal completion date may be postponed from 2015 to 2016, stressing that Summa Group is still interested in the project.

Once the survey completed the site will be given into Shtandart TT hands, which will begin construction, he added.

“In any case, before the 1st of April 2013 the survey shall be completed,” – said the source.

The spokesman of Summa Group confirmed that the company intends to begin construction of the terminal this year.

The Summa Group in a joint venture with VTTI, owned in equal shares by trader Vitol and Malaysian transportation company MISC Bhd, planned to build the Tank Terminal Europoort West by the end of 2015. Partners intend to invest in the project $ 1 billion, creating a European transit center of Urals and turning brand into an international crude price reference, thus realizing the idea, actively supported by President Vladimir Putin.

Without even commencing the construction of the terminal Summa Group, owned by businessman Ziyavudin Magomedov, began to lose support of state authorities, getting into long-term conflict around several major ports of European Russia with Transnef. The further destiny of the project will be determined in next week, sources familiar with the situation say.

“The topic (construction of the terminal) will be discussed during Putin’s visit to the Netherlands in April,” – said the source, adding that by that time engaged parties must find a solution. The Kremlin has not announced the visit officially yet.

Meanwhile Monninkhof is optimistic and said that the delay in the beginning of TTEW construction works is not threatening the entire project yet, and if the works will commence this year, the launch date may not be violated.

“According to the contract, the Summa Group must begin terminal operations in 2016. If not, it could theoretically lose the land,” – said the representative of the port.

With the Summa Group or without?

Sources from Russian oil companies said that their interest in the TTEW project are proportional to the state support of the project, and exacerbation of the conflict between Summa Group and Transneft make the chance to build an Urals Hub is melting.

In February the Summa Group gave a presentation of the TTEW project to Ministry of Energy of Russian Federation and invited the presentation attending Russian oil producers to confirm in written form their willingness to support the cargo flow, but the response was negative, said Reuters four sources from Russian oil companies.

“None of the companies will give written confirmation – this is their position,” – said the source from one of the Russian oil companies.

Another source said that negotiations with the Summa have not ended with anything yet, “We are offered to take a part in the project, but we do not really understand why would we need it.”

“It’s clear that none of the oil companies can not give any guarantees at the moment. The project will be launched in mid-2016, and we are at the beginning of 2013 – it is unknown how market situation will change in the future,” – told another source Reuters.

Without receiving terminal load assurances  it is unlikely that the Summa Group can financially support the TTEW project, according to some sources.

Another source in the Russian oil market suggested that the place the Summa Group could be replaced in the project by the Russian state company Rosneft, which is led by close to Putin, Igor Sechin, who called the TTEW project “interesting”.

“Sechin – is the key to the problem,” – said the source.

Rosneft is Russia’s largest oil exporter. The relationship between Rosneft and Vitol, the Summa Groups’ partner in the TTEW project, are flourished, making the Swiss company one of the key players in the trading market of Urals.

Rosneft refused to give comments on their relationship and the possible projects with Vitol.