Frequently asked questions

2005
We began in July 2005 with a feasibility study. We then embarked upon the licensing procedure and submitted the initial policy document in November 2005. At the same time, we launched the "open season" to allow potential customers to express their interest in the terminal.

2006
In May 2006 we submitted the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and in November 2006 we were granted the environmental permits necessary to build an LNG terminal.

The first design for the terminal was also completed in mid-2006 and we started the search for a main contractor for the engineering, procurement & construction (EPC). 

2007
In July 2007 we selected a consortium of Techint, Sener, Entrepose and Vinci, an experienced combination of Italian, Spanish and French companies, as the main contractor to execute the engineering, procurement and construction activities and the start-up work for the LNG receiving and regasification terminal on the Maasvlakte (Rotterdam).

In April 2007 the European Commission agreed to the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs' decision to grant Gate terminal exemption from the regulatory regime laid down in the Dutch Gas Act for a period of 20 years and a capacity of 16 billion cubic metres (bcm) a year.

In April 2007 Gate concluded a 50-year lease with the Port of Rotterdam for a 23-hectare site at Papegaaienbek and the adjacent tank storage site (the final contact signed in December 2007 is for a 35-hectare site). The Port of Rotterdam has developed the area and will build the infrastructure to accommodate the specific layout required for an LNG terminal. Site reclamation is completed.

To plan the LNG carriers into the shipping traffic in Rotterdam, extensive bridge simulations and logistical simulations have been carried out with the aid of the pilot service and the harbour master departments to arrive at a clear admission regime and wind/visibility limits for the safe handling of incoming and outgoing LNG carriers. In practice, as more experience is gained with LNG carriers, normal handling procedures will be introduced for hazardous substances.

The most important step has been commercial. On 17 December 2007 we signed gas throughput contracts with three parties, DONG Energy, Essent and EconGas, for a total capacity of 9 bcm of natural gas per annum (3 bcm each). August 4 th we signet a contract with E.ON Ruhrgas for a capacity of 3 bcm. Together with the previously signed agreements a total annual throughput of 12 bcm will be accommodated by Gate terminal as of the seconde half of 2011.

2008
Economics minister Maria van der Hoeven gave the official go-ahead for the construction work on 28 June 2008.

21 July Gate signed a EUR 745 million senior financing agreement with the European

Investment Bank and a banking syndicate of 10 international relationship banks. Based on the current financing structure Gate will finance these new terminal facilities by raising additional external financing within the coming months. Gate will ask the banks under the project financing arrangements announced on July 21 to incorporate the requirements in their credit facilities.

Planning Gate terminal:

• Starting construction in 2008
• Site preparation tanks & process area by Port authorities, first quarter 2008
• Installation of site accommodation & temporary facilities
• Construction of LNG outer tanks 
• Construction of LNG inner tanks 
• Construction of jetty substructure 
• Construction of jetty topside 
• Construction of connecting pipelines and vaporisers
• Connections to hot water, electricity and natural gas transport pipeline
• Mechanical completion of the construction work and pre-commissioning activities
• Introduction of first liquid natural gas to cool and test the plant
• Final commissioning for commercial operations
• Ready for commercial operations: September 2011