LNG throughput in the port of Rotterdam rose 45.8 percent in the first half of this year on the back of high gas prices and as European countries look to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
The port, home to the currently only large LNG import terminal in the Netherlands, Gate, said that total LNG throughput reached 5.41 million tonnes in the January-June period, compared to 3.71 million tonnes in the year before.
LNG throughput was almost identical in the second quarter compared to 2.70 million tonnes in the prior quarter.
Incoming LNG volumes rose 55.9 percent in the first half to 5.32 million tonnes, while outgoing volumes dropped 69.3 percent to 92,000 tonnes, according to the Rotterdam port’s quarterly report.
“There is very strong demand for LNG as an alternative to the natural gas entering Europe by pipeline from Russia,” the port said.
Gate expansion
The Gate LNG terminal in the Rotterdam, owned by Gasunie and Vopak, has a nameplate capacity of 12 bcm or 8.8 mtpa of LNG.
However, the terminal has been working for months above its capacity.
Following modifications, investments and successful tests, Gate now has an annual capacity of 12 bcm on a firm basis and 4 bcm on an interruptible basis.
Gate’s shareholders have also decided to add two more truck loading stations and are also looking into adding an additional storage tank.
Beisides Gate, Gasunie’s Eemshaven LNG hub should also go online later this year.
This second Dutch LNG import project will have two FSRUs and a total capacity of 8 bcm per year.