Sinopec Corp., China’s energy and chemical company, has put the country’s largest petrochemical port into operation with the successful docking and unloading of the New Renown, a very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) from the Middle East.
The 338,371 cbm tanker was welcomed at the new 300,000-tonne crude oil terminal of Sinopec Zhongke Refinery Port, which forms part of the company’s “front terminal, rear plant” production model.
Housed 1,100 metres from Sinopec’s refinery plant, the petrochemical port features eight terminals including a 300,000-tonne crude oil berth, 100,000-tonne oil berth and supporting facilities — providing a total capacity of 34 million tonnes per year.
To date, the 100,000-tonne berth is the largest domestic refined oil terminal with a loading and unloading capacity of 5.61 million tonnes 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 ($5.65 billion) and will add over 10 million tonnes of refined crude oil capacity and 800,000 tonnes of ethylene units per year, in addition to auxiliary supporting facilities. Following its completion, it’s estimated that the output of the refinery will exceed ¥60 billion.
Additional output is intended to aid the development of the downstream industrial chain of the refining and chemical industry while injecting new momentum for the economic development of the Greater Bay Area.
At present, there are more than 18,000 builders 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, according to Sinopec.