Dutch Gate LNG terminal in the port of Rotterdam, owned by Gasunie and Vopak, has started supplying bio-LNG from its recently launched liquefier to German state-owned energy firm Uniper.
Uniper, which is a capacity holder at Gate, said on Tuesday it has become the first shipper to start using the bio-LNG capacity produced at the facility, as it looks to further reduce the emissions of its portfolio.
Gate started producing bio-LNG on June 4 at its liquefier with a capacity of about 100,000 tons per year.
Typically sustainable biomass is the source for biogas, which is then upgraded to biomethane and delivered to Gate via the gas grid.
Once produced, bio-LNG is loaded onto trucks and ships for use in bunkering and other applications.
The whole process is in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive and certified by ISCC EU to trace the attributes of bio-LNG and safeguard against double-claims.
Uniper said the decarbonization of the market for marine and truck fuels will require the use of “several low to zero-carbon fuels”, and bio-LNG is among the “most important ones”.
Also, Uniper said bio-LNG will contribute to meeting the emission reduction targets of the International Maritime Organization for seagoing vessels including its own chartered LNG fleet.
Uniper did not provide further details regarding the bio-LNG supplies produced at Gate.
Back in March 2022, Uniper increased its capacity rights at the Gate LNG terminal to take 1 bcm per year of capacity for a period of 3 years starting on October 1, 2024.
This deal built on a long-lasting relationship between the duo and complemented the announcement made in October 2021 where Uniper had booked 1 bcm of capacity as well.
Both of these bookings supplement the existing capacity of 3 bcm per year that Uniper holds since the launch of the LNG import terminal in 2011.
Gate in expansion mode
The Gate terminal has a nameplate capacity of 12 bcm or 8.8 mtpa of LNG, three LNG storage tanks with a capacity of 540,000 cbm, three truck loading bays, as well as three jetties, including one small-scale jetty.
Following modifications, Gate managed to add 4 bcm of capacity on an interruptible basis, available to users already having a position in Gate.
Besides Uniper, Gate’s current users include Shell, OMV, and Glencore. Last year, BP and PetroChina booked capacity at Gate as part of the expansion project, while ConocoPhillips secured capacity from September 2031.
Gasunie and Vopak took a final investment decision in August 2023 to build the fourth LNG tank with a capacity of 180,000 cbm and to add 4 bcm of additional regasification capacity.
Due to high demand for LNG as fuel for vessels, Gate also plans to build a second small-scale jetty.
The new jetty would be located across the existing small-scale jetty.