Facts and figures

All figures in a row , since the start Gate terminal in 2008 to its completion in 2011.

Location

Where: Northern part of the existing Maasvlakte in the Port of RotterdamContract: Long-term 50-year leaseArea: 35 hectares

Terminal

  • Total maximum throughput capacity: 16 bcm per annum, planned start-up capacity: 12 bcm per annum
  • Net capacity of tanks: 180,000 cum per tank, total capacity 540,000 cum
  • Gross capacity of tanks: 200,000 cum per tank
  • Dimensions of tanks: 55 metres in the centre to top of dome roof / diameter about 86 metres,
  • Type of tank: Full containment: steel inner tank, thermal  insulation and concrete outer tank
  • Initial capacity: 12 bcm p.a., realised by building 3 storage tanks and 2 jetty’s
  • Expansion: At 12 bcm p.a. a second jetty, at 16 bcm p.a. a fourth tank
  • Vessel discharge rate: 12.500 m3/hr LNG
  • Vessels: All standard LNG carriers
  • Expected number of ship movements: 180 per annum (based on throughput of 8 – 12 bcm)
  • Operational: September 2011

Contracts
Customers: DONG Energy, RWE Supply & Trading, EconGas OMV, E.ON Ruhrgas, Eneco.
Contracted throughput capacity: In total 12 bcma/yr
EPC contractor: Consortium van Techint, Sener, Entrepose and Vinci

Costs

Project costs: Estimated at EUR 800 million

Project milestones 

  • August 2005: feasibility study
  • November 2005: licensing procedure started
  • November 2005: start of open season for terminal capacity
  • November 2006: environmental permit granted
  • April 2007: 20-year exemption from Gas Act for 16 bcm/per annum
  • April 2007: lease agreement with port authority (finalized in October)
  • July 2007: EPC contract, with commencement preparations
  • August 2007: Site reclamation completed by Port Authority of Rotterdam
  • 17 December 2007: contracts with Dong, Econgas, Essent
  • 28 June 2008: Official start of the construction by Maria van der Hoeven, Minister of Economic Affairs
  • 21 July 2008: signing of EUR 745 senior project financing with European Investment Bank an a syndicate of 10 relationship banks
  • 4 August 2008: contract with E.ON Ruhrgas
  • 18 March 2009: expansion project financing agreement of EUR 136 million
  • 8 July 2009: Gate terminal reaches highest point in the building process >
  • 18 March 2010: Iberdrola to deliver LNG to DONG Energy from 2011
  • 2 June 2010: 2 million man-hours without LTI at Gate terminal
  • 2 June 2010: Gate terminal invests to further increase its flexibility of LNG supply
  • 22 December 2010: Eneco and Gate terminal sign multi-year agreement
  • 3 June 2011: Gate terminal starts with commissioning phase LNG terminal
  • 5 July 2011: One of the world’s largest LNG carrier’s the Q-Max ‘Al Samriya’ arrives at Gate terminal 
  • 27 July 2011: LNG carrier Arctic Voyager docks at Gate terminal 
  • 1 September 2011: First commercial LNG cargo arrives at Gate terminal
  • 23 September 2011: Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially opens first Dutch Liquefied Natural Gas Import Terminal

Next steps

  1. Site preparation tanks & process area (first half 2008)
  2. Installation of site accommodation & temporary facilities (2008)
  3. Construction of LNG outer tanks (2008 – 2009)
  4. Construction of LNG inner tanks (2009 – 2010)
  5. Construction of jetty substructure (2009)
  6. Construction of jetty topside (2010)
  7. Construction of process area with piping and equipment to vaporise LNG (2009 – 2010)
  8. Connections to hot water, electricity and natural gas transport pipeline (2009-2010)
  9. Mechanical completion of the construction work and pre-commissioning activities
  10. Introduction of first liquid natural gas to cool and test the plant (first half 2011)
  11. Final commissioning for commercial operations (September 2011)

Employment
During construction: average 400 to 600 people for three years on site and similar numbers indirectly at suppliers. When the terminal is in operation: circa 35 personnel directly at the location.