CCUS includes both CCS and CCU.

The terminal will be able to receive and supply liquid CO₂ via ships and be connected to empty gas fields in the North Sea via the Aramis sea pipeline. The terminal therefore offers a flexible alternative for the transport and storage of significant amounts of CO₂. This also makes CCS possible for emitters that are not connected to a CO₂ pipeline.

In the Dutch climate agreement, the Dutch government underlines the importance of CCS in the mix of measures to achieve the climate objectives.
To achieve the climate goals, the amount of CO₂ emitted must quickly be significantly reduced. Industry must also become more sustainable. However, not all industry can avoid CO₂ emissions in the short term. Consider, for example, refineries, waste processing, chemical companies and producers of steel, fertilizer or cement.

CCU is an abbreviation of Carbon Capture and Utilization. This stands for the capture and reuse of CO₂, for example as a raw material in a new product.

CCS is an abbreviation of Carbon Capture and Storage. CCS means the capture and permanent storage of CO₂ (carbon dioxide). CO₂ is created by the complete combustion of carbon and carbon-containing compounds such as lignite, coal and natural gas. It can also be released as a by-product in certain chemical processes such as cement or hydrogen production. You can ‘capture’ CO₂ as soon as it is released and thus prevent it from entering the air. If the captured CO₂ is stored, for example in empty gas fields under the North Sea, this is called CCS.

The terminal starts with 2 jetties. 1 jetty can be added during the growth phase. Permission for 3 jetties has been requested in the permit.

The terminal will operate electrically as much as possible.

In the starting phase 5.4 million tons per year (Mtpa).
This can grow to 10 Mtpa (a permit has already been applied for for this). In the final phase, the terminal can process 15 Mtpa, depending on market demand.

In 2024 and 2025 we will complete the technical design, expect to obtain the necessary permits and conclude the first contracts with our customers. We aim for a final investment decision in 2025.

 In 2024 and 2025 we will complete the technical design, expect to obtain the necessary permits and conclude the first contracts with our customers. We aim for a final investment decision in 2025.

The CO₂next terminal is part of the Aramis initiative value chain. All parts of this chain are needed to store the CO₂ in the empty gas fields under the North Sea. The CO₂next terminal must be operational in order to use the Aramis sea pipeline and the storage facilities under the seabed. The current planning is start-up in 2029, which is in line with the planning for the Aramis sea pipeline and the storage facilities.

All information about the procedure, the underlying documents and how you can submit a view can be found on the project page of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.

For questions or comments about the development of CO₂next, please contact us at info@CO₂next.nl. We would be happy to discuss this with you.

If you would like to give your opinion about a permit, please visit the RVO website. Here you will find all information about the permits, the meetings that are organized and how you can express your opinion or view.

Irrevocable permits for nature and the environment are expected at the earliest in the second quarter of 2025. An irrevocable building permit is not expected until the fourth quarter of 2025 at the earliest.

Before the project can start, many permits and a ‘project decision’ are required. The project decision is a decision of the Minister of Climate and Green Growth, in consultation with the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning. This decision determines the location of the terminal. The final decision is scheduled for April 2025. The final permits for nature and the environment are also expected in April 2025.

An application for a building permit will be made in May 2025 and the final decision is expected in November 2025.

CO₂next is part of the Aramis initiative. All parts of this chain are needed to store the CO₂ in the empty gas fields under the North Sea. The various project components jointly go through a project procedure to arrive at the project decision and permits.  All procedures are coordinated by the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth. Details about the procedure and planning can be found on www.rvo.nl/aramis.

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to build without any nitrogen emissions. We will make maximum use of electrically powered equipment to minimize emissions. An assessment conducted as part of the environmental impact report concluded that the remaining nitrogen deposition will not be significant. 

In our construction method and planning, we take into account plants and animals that may be present at the (industrial) construction site. For example, we use a relatively quiet piling method and start the piling process slowly to minimize disruption to any marine mammals, such as seals and porpoises, that may be present. In our construction planning, we are advised by an ecologist on seasonal activities to ensure that the construction does not have a negative impact on the (protected) plant species ‘Hypochaeris glabra’.

• Ships transporting CO₂ to and from the terminal will primarily operate electrically along the shipping route to the terminal (and back). 
• Ships that cannot operate electrically will use alternative methods to avoid emitting nitrogen. 
• Equipment that produces significant noise will be housed indoors. 

CO₂ cannot burn or explode and does not easily react with other substances. The storage tanks are designed to withstand significant external impacts.

Safety is the top priority in all aspects of the project. Before construction can begin, all components of the plan are reviewed by authorities responsible for granting permits. 

All parts of the terminal are designed in such a way that the highest safety standards are achieved.

Once the terminal is operational, management systems ensure that unwanted situations can be prevented. Although we adhere to strict safety standards during both construction and operation, CO₂ itself is not a hazardous substance. 

• CO₂ is a naturally occurring substance that poses minimal risk and is already present in the air. It is non-flammable, does not easily react with other substances, and is even used as a fire suppressant.
• CO₂ only poses a risk to humans and animals at very high concentrations. In extremely rare scenarios where large amounts might be released, there could be a risk to the immediate surroundings, such as personnel present at the terminal. However, the materials, construction methods, and security systems chosen ensure that the chance of a serious leak is minimal. 
• CO₂ detectors are installed at various locations within the terminal. In the unlikely event that CO₂ is released, clear protocols are in place for handling the situation. These protocols are already being coordinated with the Safety Region and emergency services.

CO₂ is a naturally occurring substance that poses minimal risk and is already present in the air. It is non-flammable, does not easily react with other substances, and is even used as a fire suppressant.

• CO₂ only poses a risk to humans and animals at very high concentrations. In extremely rare scenarios where large amounts might be released, there could be a risk to the immediate surroundings, such as personnel present at the terminal. However, the materials, construction methods, and security systems chosen ensure that the chance of a serious leak is minimal. 
• CO₂ detectors will be installed at various locations within the terminal. In the unlikely event that CO₂ is released, clear protocols will be in place for handling the situation. These protocols are being coordinated with the Safety Region and emergency services.

 The Aramis initiative encompasses a large-scale transport infrastructure for the storage of CO₂ in depleted gas fields under the North Sea. By permanently storing CO₂, its release into the atmosphere is prevented. The Aramis initiative consists of several components:  

• A terminal at 2^nd Maasvlakte for liquid CO₂ arriving by ships. This is the CO₂next project, being developed by Vopak, Gasunie, Shell, and TotalEnergies.  
• In order to transport the CO₂ under the correct pressure to the empty gas fields, Aramis will use the Porthos compressor station, which will be expanded for this purpose. The Porthos compressor station is being developed by the Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie, and EBN.  
• An offshore pipeline from 2^nd Maasvlakte to a distribution platform at sea. This is the Aramis project, being implemented by EBN, Gasunie, Shell, and TotalEnergies.  
•  Offshore platforms to store the CO₂ in the depleted gas fields of Shell (K14 project), TotalEnergies (L04 project), and Eni (L10CCS project). 

All components of the Aramis initiative are essential for the success of this CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) project. The projects work closely together to achieve this goal.  For more information, please visit the Aramis website: 

The current partners are Vopak and Gasunie, Shell, and TotalEnergies. 

Vopak offers crucial infrastructure for indispensable energy sources and raw materials through storage and transshipment. Gasunie provides safe, reliable and sustainable infrastructure for large-scale transport and storage of gases. Shell and TotalEnergies are global leaders in carbon capture and storage. They are also partners in the Northern Lights project, which built the first facility for the import of liquid CO₂ in Europe.

We expect CO₂ to be delivered by emitters in the Netherlands, as well as by emitters with a short waterway connection (river or sea). For delivery from southern Germany and Austria, a rail connection will likely be required. 

We are in discussions with various industrial parties that emit CO₂, ranging from the chemical sector to refineries and the cement industry.

We believe it is important to have a good relationship with our stakeholders and to inform all interested parties in a timely manner about relevant matters.

You can find more information about participation and the permitting process here. If you are interested in the possibilities of supplying CO₂, please look here.

Of course, we are happy to engage in dialogue if you have any questions or concerns. Do you have a question or want to learn more about what we do? Please send us a message at info@CO₂next.nl. 

We will get back to you as soon as possible.