Colonial Pipeline Terminals recently reached several “significant” milestones on two projects that will improve tank truck logistics.
The Colonial Enterprises subsidiary said it completed foundation work, and continues steel erection and piping installation, at the new Austell Terminal site near Atlanta; and completed the connection of its Charlotte truck terminal to the Products (SE) Pipe Line system, formerly known as Plantation, for inbound product deliveries.
“While there are existing assets in the marketplace, we are excited that our customers recognize the value and benefits we are able to offer through the development of this new facility,” said Dan Gordon, senior vice president and chief commercial officer at Colonial Enterprises. “This is an incredibly exciting time for Colonial Pipeline Terminals.”
The Austell terminal, Colonial’s first new-construction project, is expected to be operational in the first half of 2023. It will be “modern, technology focused, and driven by efficient loading operations,” Colonial said, with improved driver productivity and trucking logistics in mind. Fuel truck drivers should experience quicker load times because the loading rack is designed for all products to be available from all lanes, eliminating the need to requeue to fill out a load.
The terminal will have an initial capacity of 30,000 barrels per day (bpd), with expansion potential to support the growing Southeast market.
In Charlotte, the terminal’s dual connectivity to the Colonial Pipeline and the SE system allows customers using the Charlotte truck terminal more optionality and security of supply, Colonial added. The terminal, which offers customers throughput capacity of approximately 15,000 bpd, also is undergoing further capacity expansion and environmental projects, including the addition of a third loading bay and vapor recovery unit, along with improved truck logistics and customer experience technology.
Colonial entered the terminals business in 2020 with the purchase of three refined product terminals.
“Colonial Pipeline Terminals represents a strategic expansion and diversification of our portfolio’s customer offerings,” Gordon said. “Coupling our new Austell terminal with the increased optionality at Colonial Pipeline Terminals’ Charlotte facility further complements our strategic growth initiative to provide additional services to customers in their respective markets.
“Customers have a choice, and they are choosing Colonial for all we have to offer.”