Rotterdam: Gate Terminal starts construction of LNG break bulk facility

Gate terminal to be expanded with harbour basin for small scale LNG with a maximum capacity of 280 berthing slots per year

Gate terminal (main shareholders Gasunie and Royal Vopak) announces the ceremonial start of the construction activities for the new LNG break bulk infrastructure at its site at the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam. The Port of Rotterdam has begun with the excavation of a new harbour basin next to Gate terminal. The new facility is expected to boost the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cleaner and affordable transportation fuel in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe.

To mark the start of the development of LNG break bulk infrastructure and services Gate terminal has organized a ground breaking event on 31 March. Dick Meurs, managing director Gate terminal: “Gasunie, Vopak and Gate have jointly developed an innovative LNG break bulk concept upgrading the LNG hub capabilities of Gate terminal and enabling our customers to supply LNG as cleaner fuel for transport, shipping and industrial applications.”

Allard Castelein, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority: “We are striving to make logistics more sustainable and promote the transition from fuel oil to LNG as fuel for shipping. Furthermore, we want to strengthen our position as the most important European LNG hub.”

Break bulk (or small-scale) services aim to split up large-scale LNG shipments into smaller parcels. This enables the distribution and use of LNG as a cleaner fuel alternative for maritime vessels, ferries, trucks and industrial applications. Since 2011 Gate terminal enables overseas LNG import into Europe. Gate terminal contributes to diversifying the European gas supply by providing access to LNG from around the world. At Gate terminal, LNG is received, stored, reloaded or regasified for the Northwest European gas grid. These activities have formed the basis for the current development of small-scale services.

The new infrastructure will be located next to Gate terminal. The Port of Rotterdam Authority will build a new harbour basin and quay wall, which is planned to be delivered end of 2015. Gate will construct the LNG installations, including berthing and loading facilities dedicated to bunkerships and smaller tankers enabling LNG bunker operations in the port of Rotterdam and further distribution of LNG in Northwest Europe. The new facilities are based on a multi-user service model, open to all interested parties, and will have a maximum capacity of 280 berthing slots per year. The finalization of the construction, commissioning and first loading operations are planned towards the end of H1 2016.

www.portofrotterdam.com

Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com