Eneco reloads first small scale LNG vessel at Gate terminal

11 September 2013

For the first time in its history a small scale LNG reload has been conducted at Gate terminal. On 6 September 2013, the "Coral Methane" docked at Gate terminal on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam. This first LNG exports stems from a contract between Eneco and AGA Gas AB for transit of LNG to Scandinavia.

For the first time in its history a small scale LNG reload has been conducted at Gate terminal. On 6 September 2013, the “Coral Methane” docked at Gate terminal on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam. This first LNG exports stems from a contract between Eneco and AGA Gas AB for transit of LNG to Scandinavia.

Eneco considers LNG in the short and long term as a valuable addition to the existing gas portfolio. This so-called “Small scale LNG” refers to LNG as a fuel for applications like trucks and maritime vessels. LNG is replacing traditional fuels, like oil or LPG (Liquefied Petrol Gas). LNG provides significant environmental benefits in comparison to traditional maritime fuel. In 2015 a new sulfur emission regulation will come into force for the marine sector in the North Sea as in the Baltic Sea. For that reason it is expected that small scale LNG markets will grow substantially and enhance a more sustainable transport sector.

Gasunie and Vopak, the initiators and partners in Gate terminal, originally developed this terminal as a LNG import terminal. Since today Gate is also an export terminal. This allows the terminal from growing into a real LNG hub. The Netherlands gets through Gate terminal the ability to not only transport gas through the Dutch pipeline network, but also as a clean alternative to traditional transportation fuels for shipping and heavy road traffic. As a first step Gate terminal recently completed the additional investments to facilitate their customers to berth small vessels and reload LNG in order to support the small scale market developments. A truck loading station for reloading of LNG will be ready Q1 2014. With this the start of Small scale LNG for the use of LNG as fuel is a fact.