New bitumen facility to open in 2016

Total has demonstrated its commitment to the highways supply chain after joining forces with Vopak to build new bitumen import facilities near London.

The partnership with Royal Vopak will complement Total’s existing bitumen assets in the UK with additional storage capacity and the option for further expansion. Planned to open in the second quarter of 2016, the facility will be built and operated by Vopak Terminal London, taking advantage of the existing land and jetty facilities at its major oil products terminal in Grays on the Thames.

Richard Laden, Total UK managing director, said: “The decision to develop a new supply point comes at an important time when the UK government has announced plans for the biggest investment in road infrastructure since the 1970s. The market is already becoming reliant on imports due to the closure of several bitumen facilities over the last five years so this agreement demonstrates Total’s commitment to supply chain security and the consolidation of a sustainable business in the UK market. Total intends to support its partners and the country’s road infrastructure plans in the coming years.”

The Total Group is the leading refiner and marketer of bitumen in Europe. The bitumen will be supplied by sea via the Total Group’s extensive network of bitumen production facilities.

Ian Cochrane, managing director at Vopak Terminals UK, added: "Vopak is delighted to be able to deliver the facilities for Total’s bitumen activity at its London terminal which enjoys an excellent location on the River Thames and adjacent to the main motorway network for supply to the London and South East market.”