Rotterdam LNG bunkering volumes hit new record in Q2

Europe’s largest bunkering port and home of the Gate LNG import terminal reported LNG volumes of 242,931 cubic meters in the second quarter of this year, the highest ever quarterly volumes.

Second quarter volumes rose 35.1 percent compared to 179,804 cbm in the second quarter last year, while they increased 12.9 percent compared to 215,247 cbm in the previous quarter, which also marked a record.

During the first half of this year, LNG bunkering volumes increased 72.3 percent year-on-year to 458,178 cbm, the data shows.

In 2023, LNG bunkering volumes reached a record level as prices dropped from 2022 and demand continued to increase.

LNG bunkering volumes stood at 619,243 cubic meters in 2023, a rise of 53 percent compared to 406,599 cbm in 2022 when volumes dropped considerably due to high prices.

Besides lower prices, the global LNG-powered fleet continues to increase.

DNV’s latest data shows the number of LNG-powered vessels in operation and on order will rise to 1058 vessels by 2028.

There are now 559 LNG-powered ships in operation and 499 LNG-fueled vessels on order.

These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels or dual-fuel LNG carriers.

Due to increasing demand for LNG as fuel, Gasunie’s and Vopak’s Gate LNG import terminal is also planning to build a second small-scale jetty.

The new jetty would be located across the existing small-scale jetty, which handled record 151 vessels, loading close to 900,000 cbm of LNG last year.