Crude Oil Storage — All Grades, All Routes

Crude oil is the raw, unrefined petroleum extracted from geological formations. It forms the basis of the global energy economy, serving as the primary feedstock for petroleum refineries worldwide. Crude grades vary significantly in their physical and chemical properties — primarily API gravity (a measure of density) and sulphur content — which determine their value, handling requirements, and suitability for different refinery configurations.

Our terminal infrastructure accommodates all crude grades — from light sweet crudes (high API, low sulphur) such as North Sea Brent and WTI, to medium and heavy sour grades (lower API, higher sulphur) such as Urals, Arab Medium/Heavy, and Mexican Maya. Each grade has distinct storage requirements relating to temperature, mixing, and vapour management, all of which our facilities are designed to handle safely.

Rotterdam is Europe's primary crude oil import and blending hub. Our Maasvlakte location provides direct deep-water berth access for VLCC class tankers — the largest crude carriers in the world — enabling direct discharge from major crude tanker routes from the Middle East Gulf, West Africa, and the Americas. Pipeline connectivity then enables efficient onward movement to the Pernis refinery complex or export via smaller tankers into the Rhine waterway system.

All crude oil transfers at our terminal are conducted with custody-transfer grade metering and independent inspection. Our laboratory coordinates full crude assay sampling, and we work with major third-party inspection agencies to ensure transparent, agreed quantity and quality determination at each transfer point.

Beyond Rotterdam, crude oil storage is available at our Houston terminal (Aframax-capable Gulf Coast berths), our Fujairah terminal (VLCC-capable, Middle East trade lanes), and our Ningbo-Zhoushan terminal (VLCC-capable, serving China's coastal refining corridor). Our Jurong terminal is configured for refined products rather than crude oil.