February 24, 2020 [Tank News International] – A multi-million pound infrastructure upgrade programme has been successfully completed at Grays terminal on the River Thames, which is part of Inter Terminals’ comprehensive bulk liquid storage network. The optimisation project has increased throughput capacity, enabling the receipt and dispatch of increased volumes of petrol and diesel at significantly faster rates than were previously possible at the terminal. 

A key regional supply point, Grays provides cost-effective access to London’s fuel distribution network. Product can be received into the facility from sea and road, and redelivered by road. As part of the major infrastructure improvements, the terminal’s two existing jetties have been upgraded to accommodate larger vessels. With an improved depth up to 12.8m, max LOA of 244m and unrestricted beam, the jetties can now receive vessels up to 40,000 tonnes.

In addition, new marine loading arms and mild steel pipelines have been installed which allow faster discharge of cargoes into storage. As a result, discharge rates from vessels have more than doubled to 1,600 cbm/hr, thereby substantially reducing vessel turnaround times at the jetties.

Road loading facilities at Grays have also been improved. Retail loading gantries have been increased to seven, together with additional commercial loading capacity. Additionally, new five-arm gantries now allow different products to be loaded at each loading bay for enhanced flexibility and increased throughput, saving both time and costs for customers.

Combining strategic locations with specialist product handling capabilities, Inter Terminals’ UK storage facilities handle a significant percentage of the UK’s imported fuel requirements and are designed to enable seamless flow of petrol, diesel and other fuels to retail outlets. The optimisation project at Grays has further strengthened Inter Terminals’ position in this competitive market. 

Grays terminal specialises in the storage and handling of high and low flash petroleum products, including diesel, gas oil and kerosene. The facility has a total storage capacity of 310,489m³ across 51 mild steel tanks in a range of capacities to suit individual storage requirements. Grays occupies a prime position on the River Thames with access to highly developed transport links such as the M25, which minimises road freight rates for customers. 

The strategic investment in Grays terminal will contribute to the provision of a reliable fuel supply to southeast England, which is essential to the region’s economy, says David McLoughlin, Inter Terminals’ managing director and country manager for the UK and Ireland. Summing up, he comments: “Following the upgrade, larger cargoes of hydrocarbons are now being received at Grays and the terminal is currently handling in excess of 300 loads per day.” 

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