INEOS (London, U.K.; www.ineos.com) has taken delivery of the first of the last two modules, at the Port of Antwerp, to complete the Project ONE (project-one.ineos.com) cracker.
The modules were built in Abu Dhabi, but their transport to Antwerp was disrupted by the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. After being trapped for months, the two ships carrying the modules managed to safely pass through the Strait, during the one- week ceasefire in mid-June, arriving in Antwerp six weeks later, via the Suez Canal.
The module transported weighs 6,920 tons and is 55 meters high. As such it combines the weight of almost the entire steel structure of the Eiffel Tower with the height of a medium-sized skyscraper, making it one of the most impressive project cargoes to have arrived at the Port of Antwerp in recent years. The module exceeds the weight of the Project ONE furnaces which, arrived at the Port of Antwerp last year.
The second and final module, weighing 7,200 tons, is due to arrive shortly allowing INEOS to complete the plant.
The vessel will remain moored at the quay for a little while longer, as the steel structures protecting the module during overseas transport need to be removed. It will then be placed in position at the heart of the plant.
John McNally, CEO of INEOS Project ONE, said: We are extremely relieved that the last two modules have arrived ‘home’ in Antwerp safely. I am already looking forward to seeing them take their final positions within the overall installation so that we can complete hooking all of our modules together and start up our cracker complex. This marks a significant milestone in the realisation of this project, which is unique in Europe.”