Tue 11 Jan 2011, 10:57 GMT

Houston terminal construction to start in Q3 2011


New fuel oil terminal is expected to be operational by 2013.



Construction of a new black oil terminal on the Houston Ship Channel is expected to commence during the third quarter of 2011.

The new facility will be developed by new business venture Battleground Oil Specialty Terminal Co. (Bostco), a company established by John McDonald, the founder of Houston Fuel Oil Terminal - the country's largest handler of heavy refining byproducts covering 310-acres of storage tanks and terminals.

McDonald established Houston Fuel Oil Terminal thirty years ago and later sold his stake in the company over time, but acted as an adviser until about four years ago. He now plans for his new venture to compete with his former company in the niche market of black oil.

Referred to as a 'next generation black oil terminal' on the Houston Ship Channel, the Bostco facility will handle residual fuel oil, slurry oil, blendstocks, vacuum gas oil and crude oil.

The terminal will provide two deepwater (45+2) ship docks, twelve barge spots, twelve rail spots, pipeline connections for crude and 7.8 million barrels of storage.

Bostco says that future development will allow for two additional deepwater ship docks, eight additional barge spots and 2.5 million barrels of additional storage and pipeline connections for other petroleum products.

During the past twelve months, Bostco has acquired the land, completed preliminary design of the facility, applied for permits and discussed the project with all regulatory agencies.

Bostco plans to start construction in the third quarter of 2011 and be operational by spring of 2013.

"Bostco has significant commitments for storage and, as a new modern facility, will provide a value proposition unmatched in the Gulf Coast," the company said in a statement.


Container ship near a port. Ammonia emerges as most feasible alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping in 2050 emissions study  

Research combining expert survey and technical analysis ranks ammonia ahead of hydrogen and methanol.

Cargo vessel at sea. EMSA study examines biodiesel blend spill response as shipping adopts alternative fuels  

Research addresses knowledge gaps on biodiesel-conventional fuel blends as marine pollutants and response measures.

BIMCO ETS BARECON clause 2026 graphic. BIMCO adopts ETS clause for bareboat charters, delays biofuel provision  

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has approved an emissions trading compliance clause while requesting further work on a biofuel charter provision.

SALEFORM 2025 standard form graphic. BIMCO and Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association launch SALEFORM 2025 ship sale contract  

Updated agreement addresses banking changes, compliance requirements and environmental regulations affecting vessel transactions.

Everllence H2 test engine. Everllence develops hydrogen test bench for marine engines  

German engine maker upgrades Augsburg facility under HydroPoLEn project backed by federal maritime research funding.

CMA CGM Osmium vessel. CMA CGM names 13,000-teu methanol-fuelled containership in South Korea  

CMA CGM Osmium to operate on Asia–Mexico service as part of the carrier’s decarbonisation strategy.

NorthStandard logo. NorthStandard publishes biofuel guide as marine insurance claims emerge  

White paper addresses quality issues and compliance requirements as biofuel testing volumes surge twelvefold.

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform (CMFP) logo. Maritime fuel platform calls for EU shipping ETS revenues to fund clean fuel deployment  

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform urges earmarking of national emissions trading revenues for renewable fuel infrastructure.

Seatransport 73m SLV Lloyd’s Register grants approval for hybrid nuclear power design for amphibious vessels  

Classification society approves Seatransport’s concept integrating micro modular reactors with diesel-electric systems.

Everllence ME-LGIE engine. Everllence and Vale partner on ethanol-powered marine engine development  

Brazilian mining company to develop dual-fuel ethanol engines based on ME-LGI platform.