The Netherlands opens first Liquefied Natural Gas Import Terminal

Queen Beatrix has officially opened Gate terminal on 23 September. Gate (Gas Access To Europe) terminal is located on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam and is the first import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Netherlands. It has been developed by N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie and Royal Vopak. Hundreds of foreign dignitaries, national and international guests amongst others attended the official opening ceremony.
The terminal will serve as an independent distribution point for European energy companies to address the rising demand for and declining production of natural gas in northwestern Europe. As an independent import terminal for LNG, Gate terminal will be an important factor for the European receipt of gas from other overseas territories. The terminal will both increase the security of supplies and enable new players to enter the European gas market.
Gate terminal has already began to receive LNG by ship, which is subsequently regasified and prepared for distribution to the Dutch gas transport network and further transport to northwestern European markets. With an initial throughput capacity of 12 billion cubic meters per annum (equals 25% of annual Dutch gas consumption), the terminal consists of three storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 540,000 cubic meters, two jetties and a process area where the LNG is being regasified. In the future, the terminal’s throughput capacity can be increased to 16 billion cubic meters per annum by building a fourth tank. Gate terminal dovetails with Dutch and European energy policies, built on the pillars of strategic diversification of gas supplies, sustainability, safety and environmental awareness.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Maxime Verhagen:
Paul van Gelder, Chairman of the Executive Board of Gasunie and Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman of the Executive Board of Vopak, jointly commented:
Profile N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie)
Gasunie is a gas infrastructure and transport company with an authoritative position in Europe. Its responsibilities include the management and development of the national gas transmission network and the provision of gas transport and infrastructure services. It meets the wishes of customers who want their natural gas to be transported safely and sustainably at a competitive price. In doing so it also serves the public interest.