To support these efforts, from January 2023, GPR and Stargate Oil Terminal Rotterdam B.V. have been consolidated and continue as Gunvor Energy Rotterdam B.V., a name that is more inclusive of the increasing number of Energy Transition projects that are underway. We look forward to working with our strategic partners that share our ambition in the realization of our plans to ensure our employees and our facilities have a future in the new energy landscape.

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The site is some 105 hectares in size and offers deep-sea, river, road and rail access, as well as pipeline connections to Northwest Europe. The adjacent and future pipelines are suitable for transporting i.a. propylene, ethylene, CO2 and hydrogen.

New green energy hub

Vopak will reconfigure the concession with the primary aim of making a positive contribution to the decarbonisation of the industrial cluster on the Antwerp port platform. Where necessary, soil remediation will take place in close consultation with internal and external experts and authorities. Furthermore, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Vopak will continue their discussions to structure their common strategic ambition, which is to jointly develop a new green energy hub.

Shahb Richyal, Global Head of Portfolio, Gunvor: “Since rescuing GPA from insolvency in 2012, Gunvor has been committed to operating the refinery and terminal as a responsible tenant and employer in the Port of Antwerp. Over many years of operations, Gunvor invested considerably in the asset, and through the mothballing process and subsequent cessation of all activities sought to ensure that all stakeholders and employees were treated fairly, and that the environment remained respected. By reaching an agreement with Vopak for the acquisition of the shares of GPA, Gunvor is ensuring the site will have a new future under responsible leadership”.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “As Port of Antwerp-Bruges, we’re very pleased that Vopak has found expansion opportunities on the Gunvor site. This Dutch global player has been an established value on the Antwerp port platform for many years and will continue to focus on green ammonia, sustainable fuels and finer chemical products at the new site.Not only does this allow Vopak to continue to grow within our port in line with the strategy of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, but we’re also demonstrating how, as a port, we’re shaping the energy transition together with businesses.”

Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “The collaboration with Vopak fits perfectly with Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ ambition to become the energy gateway to Europe as a ‘green port’. That this global player that has been anchored in our port for years can now sustainably expand within Europe’s largest petrochemical cluster is excellent news. In this way, the Dutch company Vopak makes Flanders’ economic engine continue to turn swiftly.”

Patrick van der Voort, President Europe & Africa, Royal Vopak: “We’re very pleased to have access to this prime location in Europe’s leading petrochemical cluster. It offers us a unique opportunity to implement our strategy, forge new partnerships and support the industry in its decarbonisation by developing critical infrastructure. The site’s extensive size, strategic location and connectivity to Northwest Europe offer unparalleled opportunities.”

About Royal Vopak
Royal Vopak is the world’s leading independent tank storage company. We store vital products with care. Products for everyday life. The energy that allows people to cook, heat or cool their homes and for transportation. The chemicals that enable companies to manufacture millions of useful products. The edible oils to prepare food. We take pride in improving access to cleaner energy and feedstocks for a growing world population, ensuring safe, clean and efficient storage and handling of bulk liquid products and gases at strategic locations around the world. We are excited to help shape a sustainable future by developing infrastructure solutions for new vital products, focusing on zero- and low-carbon hydrogen, ammonia, CO2, long duration energy storage and sustainable feedstocks. We have a track record of over 400 years in navigating change and are continuously investing in innovation. On sustainability, we are ambitious and performance driven, with a balanced roadmap that reflects key topics that matter most to our stakeholders and where we can have a positive impact for people, planet and profit and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Vopak is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.vopak.com.

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The Facility received strong support from Gunvor’s banking and institutional partners, closing at USD 990 million with a sizeable increase from the previous year’s refinancing at USD 872.5 million. The Facility will support Gunvor in connection with its obligations to issue directly or indirectly off balance sheet instruments as part of its business, including bid bonds, performance bonds, and various other types of guarantee instruments. The Facility has a USD 300 million accordion option and a 364-day extension option.

ING Bank N.V. (“ING”) acted as sole Coordinator and Documentation Agent in the Facility. Société Générale will continue its role as the Facility Agent and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., ING Bank N.V., Amsterdam, Lancy/Geneva Branch, Natixis, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, Société Générale and SMBC Bank International Plc are the Issuing Banks.

The Facility, which was launched at USD 850 million, was significantly oversubscribed after syndication and subsequently increased to USD 990 million.

The participation banks and institutions in the Facility included:

• Atradius
• Bank of China Limited, London Branch
• CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA
• China Construction Bank Corporation, Beijing, Swiss Branch Zurich
• Commerzbank AG, London Branch
• Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
• Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.
• DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch
• Deutsche Bank AG, Amsterdam branch
• DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main
• Erste Group Bank AG
• Euler Hermes S.A.
• First Abu Dhabi Bank (PJSC)
• HCC International Insurance Company Plc
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, London Branch
• ING Bank N.V.
• Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE
• Markel Insurance SE
• Mizuho Bank, Ltd
• Natixis
• Raiffeisen Bank International AG
• SMBC Bank International plc
• Société Générale
• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (London Branch)
• UBS Switzerland AG

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Green Hydrogen Economy
Green hydrogen is key to the energy transition. It has significant potential to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, such as heavy-duty transport and industry. A substantial amount of renewable energy is needed to produce green hydrogen. It is unlikely that Europe will be able to produce these amounts locally, making large-scale, green hydrogen imports essential for reaching targets set under the European Union’s (EU) “Fit for 55” legislative package and REPowerEU. With this project, the Netherlands would make a leading contribution to EU energy transition goals.

Key Development Milestones
The signing of the agreement is an important step towards an investment decision that will be taken as the companies gain confidence in the regulatory framework, permitting process, and funding support. Certification of the green hydrogen is needed to ensure that the imported green ammonia and resulting green hydrogen is recognized and counted towards the EU renewable energy targets. For funding support, this project seeks to be recognized as an ‘Important Project of Common European Interest’ (IPCEI). Air Products looks forward to continuing engagement with the relevant stakeholders to establish the broader support available to the project.

Gateway to Northwest Europe
The Gunvor site in Europoort Rotterdam is one of several European locations envisaged by Air Products for the development of a green hydrogen import terminal. It offers strategic access for receiving green ammonia from large-scale green hydrogen production locations operated by Air Products and its partners from projects around the world. The green ammonia will be converted to hydrogen and distributed to markets within Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Air Products and Gunvor both have a proven track record for reliability and safety and are committed to delivering world-class performance in personal and process safety.

Benefits to the Dutch Economy
Independent analysis from CE Delft has shown the project will ultimately deliver EUR 260-425 million of indirect economic benefits, culminating in thousands of new jobs over the coming years. The savings in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions to the transport sector, combined with the benefit of reduction in other harmful emissions, would create an overall environmental benefit valued at over EUR 100 million by 2030.

Ivo Bols, President Europe and Africa, said, “Air Products is pleased to take a next step towards a green hydrogen import terminal in Rotterdam, together with our partner Gunvor. Hydrogen import is essential to diversify our energy resources and meet climate objectives. Air Products, the largest hydrogen producer in the world, is committed to contribute to both ambitions by accelerating the development of the European green hydrogen economy via first-mover projects like these. We are looking forward to further cooperation with Gunvor to make Rotterdam ready for green hydrogen imports.”

“Gunvor is pleased to be partnering with Air Products through Nyera, our investment vehicle dedicated to supporting the Energy Transition, in order to leverage strategic locations such as our Rotterdam facility in a way that advances the development of sustainable and renewable energy initiatives,” said Shahb Richyal, Global Head of Portfolio at Gunvor.

Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam: “We are very supportive of Air Products’ and Gunvor’s plans, which are a great example of using a brownfield location to set up a new import terminal for green ammonia in the port of Rotterdam. Both companies have been active in the energy sector for a long time and are responding to society’s demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as to increase Europe’s energy independence. Green ammonia is not only a hydrogen carrier and a feedstock for the chemical industry, but it’s also an important renewable fuel for the shipping sector. First-mover projects like this will make Rotterdam Europe’s foremost Hydrogen Hub.”

About Gunvor Group
Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy and bulk materials from where they are sourced and stored to where they are demanded most. Gunvor has strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, and terminals—that complement core trading activities and generate sustainable value across the global supply chain for customers. In 2021, Gunvor reported turnover of US $135 billion on volumes of 240 million MT. Approximately 50% of the company’s trading consists of “transitional” commodities, including biofuels, natural gas and LNG. For more information, visit gunvor.group.

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years. Focused on serving energy, environment and emerging markets, the Company provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the global leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment. The Company develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest industrial gas projects, including: gasification projects that sustainably convert abundant natural resources into syngas for the production of high-value power, fuels and chemicals; carbon capture projects; and world-scale low- and zero-carbon hydrogen projects supporting global transportation and the energy transition.

The Company had fiscal 2021 sales of $10.3 billion from operations in over 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $55 billion. More than 20,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products’ higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world.

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Global Energy Storage (GES) announces today its first major investment at Europoort in the Port of Rotterdam. It is buying an interest in part of the assets of the Stargate Terminal from Gunvor Group and will develop more than 20 hectares at the heart of the port. The deal has been formally approved by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

The site includes a significant waterfront with deep water access, brownfield development opportunities and potential greenfield development sites. Gunvor will be a long-term partner of GES at the Port of Rotterdam.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with GES to further support the development of environmentally responsible projects in the port of Rotterdam,” said Shahb Richyal, Global Head of Portfolio at Gunvor Group. “This deal is in line with Gunvor’s strategy to support the advancement of Energy Transition initiatives at our key asset locations.”

Gunvor also recently announced that its Rotterdam facility will supply to material science company Dow cracker-ready feedstock, which will be used to produce circular plastics.

GES’ ambitious plans include the development of a new multi-purpose seagoing jetty, as well as developing infrastructure for:

• Consolidation of biofuel storage
• Storage for renewable fuels
• Gas storage
• Gas to chemicals production
• Green and blue hydrogen
• Hydrogen carriers such as ammonia

Peter Vucins said, “This project aims to become one of the largest low-carbon developments at a world-class industrial hub, with the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of future business in the Port of Rotterdam. Alongside a new jetty that we aim to develop and low-carbon commodity infrastructure, we are also looking to become part of the logistics chain needed to import blue and green hydrogen. I hope this gives a glimpse of the size of our ambitions.”

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, with deep-water access and world-class connectivity to inland waterways and pipeline infrastructure.

Peter Vucins said, “The port is ideally placed for this development, which will bring low-carbon technology to one of the world’s great trading hubs that has taken a leading position in the energy transition with very significant and ambitious developments of its own.”

GES has a focus on energy transition fuels and fuels-of-the-future. Its strategy is to concentrate on key global hubs, international cross-linked business, and long-term relationships with top-tier energy suppliers.

Eric Arnold, Executive Chairman of GES, added, “This is the first of what we hope will be many deals. We are looking to develop an international network of storage and logistics infrastructure for low-carbon commodities. You can expect to see a rapid expansion across 2021-22.”

GES was set up by the management team from Global Petro Storage (GPS), the leading operator and developer of energy and chemical assets. GES has a unique proposition:

• A proven management team with experience that is second-to-none
• Private Equity backing, meaning swift decisions and a longer-term view
• Exclusive focus on energy transition fuels

GES, which launched in May 2021, is backed by Bluewater, the specialist international private equity firm focused on the middle-market energy sector.

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El grupo Gunvor se ha unido a la Asociación Española de Operadores de Productos Petrolíferos como compañía socia de pleno derecho tras el acuerdo de la junta de AOP del pasado 20 de Julio. Con esta ya son siete las compañías integradas en la entidad: BP, Cepsa, Eni, Galp, Gunvor, Repsol y Saras.

Gunvor es uno de los mayores grupos independientes especializados en refino y distribución de productos petrolíferos. Con representación en 100 países y una capacidad de refino de 100.000 barriles diarios, la organización lleva diez años trabajando en su transición energética, habiendo establecido un objetivo de reducción de emisiones del 40% para el año 2025. Gunvor cuenta con dos bioplantas en España: en Huelva y Berantevilla (País Vasco), así como refinerías de petróleo en el puerto de Rotterdam (Holanda) e Ingolsdtad (Alemania).

En palabras del presidente de AOP, Juan Antonio Carrillo de Albornoz: “El foco que Gunvor ha puesto en los biocombustibles en España encaja perfectamente con la Estrategia para la Evolución hacia los Ecocombustibles de AOP. Al igual que ocurrió con Eni el año pasado, su incorporación aumenta nuestra representatividad dentro del sector y suma aliados para la transición energética y la reducción de emisiones”.

La inclusión de Gunvor marca el inicio del nuevo curso en AOP. La asociación prevé un otoño de mucha actividad tanto para la institución como para otros colectivos a los que pertenece como la Plataforma para la Promoción de los Ecocombustibles y la Alianza por la Competitividad de la Industria Española.

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For the interview at Energy Intelligence

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“We’re pleased to be working closely with our banking partners to find new areas of our business for sustainability-linked opportunities,” said Muriel Schwab, Chief Financial Officer, Gunvor Group. “And despite the recent market volatility and uncertainty, it is very promising to see such strong lender support for this approach, as the Ingolstadt facility was heavily over-subscribed.”

In 2018, Gunvor was the first energy commodities trading company to close a financing in which the interest rate was dependent on the company’s ability to meet sustainability criteria. Per the deal, Gunvor received a discount on its interest rate as sustainability targets were met; had Gunvor underperformed on the sustainability targets, a premium would have been added to the interest rate. That original facility has been renewed under the same terms.

Gunvor continues to view the long-term challenge for companies in the physical energy commodities trading sector to be effectively positioning themselves within the “energy transition.” In 2019, “transitional” commodities (i.e., natural gas, LNG and biofuels) comprised 45% of total trading activity (compared with “traditional” crude oil and oil products), an increase from 28% the year prior. Gunvor also acquired two biofuel plants, and committed to no longer physically trading coal, activities which ceased in 2018. The company is now actively measuring its CO2 footprint while devising a sustainability plan, of which financing is an important aspect. Gunvor is on target to substantially reduce its CO2 footprint in 2020, and will continue to work toward continuous reductions year-over-year.

Banks participating in the Ingolstadt Facility included:

Bookrunner, Mandated Lead Arranger and Sustainability Coordinator

• UniCredit Bank AG

Mandated Lead Arranger

• CA Indosuez (Switzerland) S.A
• DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentralgenossenschaftsbank
• KfW IPEWX-Bank GmbH

Lead Arranger

• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., London Branch

Arranger

• Bank of China Ltd, London Branch
• Commerzbank AG
• Erste Group Bank AG
• First Abu Dhabi Bank (PJSC)
• Raiffeisen Bank International AG

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“We’re proud to have lived up to the challenge set forth by this innovative financing, which Gunvor created with ING Bank,” said Muriel Schwab, Gunvor Group’s Chief Financial Officer. “Gunvor is already exploring other areas of our operations where we can undertake ‘green’ or ‘sustainability-linked’ financings. There is a lot the trading industry can do in terms of sustainability and the energy transition, and it is a focus of ours at Gunvor.”

To achieve the lower interest rate, Gunvor had to meet different sustainability-related key performance indicators that focused on the “environment”, “social impact” and “governance”, and specifically addressed areas like reductions in CO2 emissions, waste and water management, improvements to personnel safety at refineries, transparency reporting related to feedstock origination (within the parameters of the company’s support for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, or EITI), and others.

Per the deal, Gunvor received a discount on its interest rate as sustainability targets were met; had Gunvor underperformed on the sustainability targets, a premium would have been added to the interest rate. This year’s performance results over these sustainability targets were subject to independent assurance from PricewaterhouseCoopers. The same terms apply to the renewal, which provides for the working capital requirements of the company’s Antwerp and Rotterdam refineries.

Related savings from the lower interest rate go to supplement funding for Gunvor Foundation, the company’s not-for-profit entity dedicated to philanthropic giving.

ING also acted as sole Coordinator and Active Bookrunner while maintaining its roles as Security Agent, Facility Agent and Fronting Bank. The banks participating in the Facility included:

• ING Belgium, Brussels, Geneva Branch
• DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch
• Société Générale
• Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A.
• ABN Amro Bank N.V.
• CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA
• Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.
• Mizuho Bank Europe N.V.
• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (London Branch)
• UniCredit Bank AG
• KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
• MUFG Bank, Ltd.
• Raiffeisen Bank International AG
• China Construction Bank (Zurich Branch)

The post Gunvor meets targets, renews us $725 million sustainabilty-linked facility appeared first on Gunvor Group.

Gunvor Group (“Gunvor”) has closed an innovative US $745 million secured borrowing base facility (“Facility”) that includes performance commitments related to Gunvor’s sustainability targets. Gunvor is the first energy commodities trading company to close a financing in which the interest rate will be dependent on the company’s year-on-year improvements in areas such as transparency, governance and the environment. The Facility, originally launched at US $625 million in 2012, was a renewal to provide for the working capital requirements of the company’s Antwerp and Rotterdam refineries. It was significantly oversubscribed to US $745 million through the addition of new lenders.

The Facility was arranged by ING Bank, who acted as sole Coordinator and Active Bookrunner while maintaining its roles as Security Agent, Facility Agent and Fronting Bank. The structure for the sustainability targets was created by Gunvor in collaboration with ING Bank as the Sustainability Coordinator and supported by the consortium of banks. Gunvor will receive a discount on its interest rate if the sustainability targets have been met and vice-versa, if Gunvor severely underperforms on the sustainability targets, a premium will be added to the interest rate. This initiative will serve as a test run for a more expanded future program for the company’s financings.

“By partnering with our banks to set goals that achieve substantive results, we are demonstrating the seriousness with which we integrate sustainability into our business.” said Jacques Erni, Gunvor Group CFO.

The sustainability targets are focused on the “environment”, “social impact” and “governance”, and specifically address areas like reductions in CO2 emissions, waste and water management, improvements to personnel safety at the refineries, transparency reporting related to feedstock origination (within the parameters of the company’s support for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, or EITI) and others.

“Gunvor’s imperative has always been to take actions that are meaningful and credible, and we have worked closely with our banking partners to keep ahead of the market’s evolving expectations for sustainability in business and finance,” said Ben Winterton, Gunvor Group’s head of HSEC (health, safety, environment, human rights and communities).

Related savings from the potentially lower interest rate will go to supplement funding for the recently launched Gunvor Foundation, the company’s not-for-profit entity dedicated to philanthropic giving.

“ING is happy to be Gunvor’s partner in its sustainability journey. We expect this innovative transaction will serve as an example of how we and our peers can provide energy commodity trading clients with financial solutions which also address the key sustainability challenges in this sector,” said Patrick Arnaud, managing director for Trade Commodity Finance at ING Bank.

The Facility’s increase was made possible thanks to the continuous support of the original lenders renewing and some increasing their participation levels, together with new entrants.

The banks participating in the Facility are as follows:

• ING Belgium, Brussels, Geneva Branch
• DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch
• Société Générale
• Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A.
• ABN Amro Bank N.V.
• CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA
• Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.
• Mizuho Bank Europe N.V.
• Nedbank Limited, London Branch
• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (London Branch)
• UniCredit Bank AG
• KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
• MUFG Bank, Ltd.
• Raiffeisen Bank International AG

About Gunvor Group
Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded most. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, terminals, mining and upstream—Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. More information can be found at www.gunvor.group or @Gunvor.

About Gunvor Foundation
Gunvor Foundation provides scholarships, grants, and donations (impact investing) for initiatives that further the mission of empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to the development of healthy communities, the reduction of poverty, and the improvement of environmental conditions on local and global levels. More information can be found at www.Gunvor-Foundation.com

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