LBC Tank Terminals acquired by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

Following all regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close within the following three to four months.

LBC is one of the world's largest independent chemicals focused storage businesses. It owns and operates seven storage terminals at locations in the US (Houston, Baton Rouge, Freeport) and Europe (Antwerp, Rotterdam), offering loading and unloading services for various transportation modes such as pipeline, vessel, barge, rail tank car, and truck. Its total current storage capacity accounts for 3.3 million m³, strategically located at major chemical production hubs and connected to vital chemical processing plants via pipeline infrastructure networks.

Under the current owners, LBC improved operations and safety as well as its sustainability performance to reach industry leading performance as recognised by its Platinium Ecovadis rating and 5-star GRESB rating. With support from its owners, LBC completed significant expansions and developed new projects across chemical and new energies markets, which are currently under construction. These expansion projects allowed LBC to strengthen its capabilities and address the rising demand for storage facilities capable of handling a broader array of new energy products.

MOL is one of the world’s largest shipping companies and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It specialises in marine transportation and logistics, operating a diverse global fleet that includes container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, chemical tankers, LNG carriers, car carriers, and specialised vessels. The company is recognised for its focus on innovation and sustainability in the global maritime industry.

MOL positions the chemical logistics business as a business of growth, and this acquisition is part of that strategy. MOL has already expanded its business scale in the chemical tanker business by acquiring shares in Nordic Tankers in 2019 and Fairfield Chemical Carriers in 2024, boasting one of the largest fleets in the world. With the acquisition of LBC, MOL is aiming to lead the global chemical logistics industry. In addition, with demand for the transportation of ammonia and CO₂ expected to grow as a result of a more decarbonised society, MOL Group will accelerate the development of its next generation energy business by adding infrastructure that will support the energy transition through the acquisition of LBC.

The operational and commercial synergies between MOL and LBC will provide significant opportunities to further develop the full potential of the company’s platform, particularly in the context of emerging sectors such as new energies.

While the change in ownership marks an important milestone, LBC will continue to operate as an independent platform, with a continued focus on safety, sustainability, service, and operational efficiency.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/tanks-terminals/11032025/lbc-tank-terminals-acquired-by-mitsui-osk-lines/