Amsterdam to become the world’s largest gasoline station

AMSTERDAM – The port of Amsterdam is well on its way to becoming the world’s largest gas station. The initial steps to create more gasoline storage were taken following the 1973 oil crisis, when the Dutch government decided to maintain an inventory of oil and gasoline products for its military to prevent shortages in case of boycotts or other supply interruptions. For storage they turned to Amsterdam, where there were surplus tanks. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the oil inventory became a market commodity for oil and gasoline suppliers and gave the Dutch another product for export. Since then, various terminals were added in the port, which in a few years hopes to have the world’s largest storage facilities. Giant Dutch terminal operator Vopak, which has 80 locations in 32 countries, is building a huge new facility near Amsterdam.