Rotterdam LNG throughput down in 2024

The port, home to Gasunie’s and Vopak’s Gate LNG import terminal, said that total LNG throughput reached 11.3 million mt last year.

This marks a drop of 5.3 percent compared to 11.9 million mt in 2023.

In 2023, LNG throughput rose 3.7 percent as Europe continued to import large amounts of LNG to replace pipeline imports of Russian natural gas.

According to the Rotterdam port’s report, incoming LNG volumes decreased 7 percent last year to 10.8 million mt, while outgoing volumes jumped 57.5 percent to 0.5 million mt.

“As in the rest of Europe, imports declined due to high stock levels,” the port said.

European storage levels were very high last winter. However, gas storage in Europe is currently at very low levels, and Europe is importing record amounts of LNG.

Contrary to incoming LNG volumes, the Rotterdam port previously said that LNG bunkering volumes jumped 52 percent in 2024, hitting a new record.

Europe’s largest bunkering port reported LNG bunkering volumes of 941,366 cubic meters as the global fleet of LNG-fueled vessels continues to expand.

In 2023, Rotterdam LNG bunkering volumes reached 619,243 cbm as prices dropped from 2022 and demand continued to increase.