Rail Logistics Feasibility — Blue Ammonia Export Corridor
Rail & Logistics Infrastructure | Pre-FEED | Alberta to British Columbia
Blue ammonia produced in Alberta does not reach Asian export markets by road. It moves by rail — across the Rocky Mountains to the British Columbia coast, where it is loaded onto vessels for international delivery. Getting that logistics chain right starts at the production facility, and it starts at Pre-FEED. Star Knowledge Engineering Services was engaged to develop the rail logistics concept for a 1 MTPA blue ammonia facility — covering plant-side loop track geometry, loading facility layout, and connection to the provincial heavy-haul corridor adjacent to the site.
The Challenge
Ammonia rail logistics at production scale is not a standard infrastructure problem. The plant-side loop had to support simultaneous loading and wagon staging for a 44-wagon unit train, within the spatial constraints of an operating ammonia facility plot plan. Connection to an existing provincial heavy-haul corridor — already serving chemical manufacturing facilities in the area — required compatibility with that corridor’s load and geometric standards. All work had to conform to Transport Canada standards for private industrial rail infrastructure and be deliverable within Pre-FEED parameters.
Our Approach
SKES developed concept-level track geometry for a 950-metre plant-side loop, positioned relative to ammonia storage tanks and the loading facility. The loading facility layout was developed in conjunction with the track geometry — establishing the spatial relationship between the loop track, loading arms, storage connections, and site access as an integrated system. A rail feasibility study assessed the viability of the proposed connection to the provincial corridor, the operational demands of the Alberta-to-BC export chain, and compliance with Transport Canada standards for private industrial sidings.
What We Delivered
The feasibility study established a viable Pre-FEED position: the proposed loop geometry, loading layout, and provincial corridor connection are feasible at concept level. The Pre-FEED package was delivered to the owner as the foundation for FEED-stage rail infrastructure engineering.
Services Delivered
Rail Feasibility Study
Concept Track Geometry
Loading Facility Layout
Corridor Integration Assessment
Transport Canada Compliance
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