A blast at Gunvor Energy’s refinery and fuel terminal in Rotterdam has killed one person and injured several others, according to Ship & Bunker.
The explosion took place late Thursday morning at the facility, located in the industrial section of the Port of Rotterdam, as reported by Euronews. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that a maintenance crew had been working on a section of pipes at the time of the blast.
Separately, a power failure hit part of the port after a transformer caught fire, according to the report. Several companies operating in the affected area reportedly halted operations and evacuated workers as a precaution, with power gradually restored later in the day.
Terminal Details
According to Gunvor Energy’s website, as cited by Ship & Bunker, the Rotterdam terminal has approximately 1.5 million cubic meters of liquid storage capacity. The facility handles a range of products, including crude oil, LPG, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, gasoil, VGO, and fuel oil.
No further details on the cause of the explosion, the extent of injuries, or the specific section of the terminal affected were included in the available reporting.
Does This Matter to You?
Rotterdam is one of Europe’s largest bunkering and fuel storage hubs, and incidents affecting terminal infrastructure in the port can have knock-on effects for fuel availability and logistics in the region. The source material does not specify whether bunker fuel operations, product loading, or delivery schedules at the Gunvor terminal were disrupted, nor does it clarify the duration of any operational halt.
Given that several companies in the port evacuated workers and experienced power outages, there may be broader short-term implications for activity in that section of the port, though the full scope of the impact is not detailed in current reporting. Parties with cargo, storage, or supply arrangements tied to the Rotterdam industrial area may want to monitor further updates as more information becomes available.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker (via Euronews, NOS)
