Fears and fundamentals for independent storage operators
The worldwide independent storage business is not immune to downturns in leading economies – but structural trends are expanding demand for terminal operations
AT THE world's main refining centres, independent storage has developed into more than a commodity business. Changing product specifications, new fuels and new users have expanded the market for premium services, while high refinery utilisation has brought more business because region-to-region product imbalances have increased. The big terminal operators say their logistical operations will see them through a downturn in trading volumes, if that should result from the world's economic troubles. But, towards the end of last year, there were forecasts that storage fees would come under pressure in 2009 if volumes should decline significantly. Healthy demand in 2008 So far, however, business g
Also in this section
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment
