Shell Completes First Loading at Gate Terminal's New LNG Berth

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday September 21, 2016

Shell International Petroleum Company Limited (Shell) Wednesday announced that the 7,500m³ multipurpose liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Coral Methane was loaded with LNG at the Port of Rotterdam's LNG Gate terminal on September 19.

As Ship & Bunker reported earlier this month, the Port of Rotterdam, through a collaborative effort with N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie), and Royal Vopak N.V. (Vopak), had completed the expansion of the LNG Gate terminal at the Maasvlakte to include a third berth for the loading of small LNG vessels, including LNG bunkering vessels.

"The first LNG loading of the Coral Methane at Gate's new berth is great news for our customers. We are ready to supply Shell LNG Fuel to marine customers in northwest Europe, providing fuel options to meet the current and future needs of our marine customers," said Lauran Wetemans, Shell's General Manager Downstream LNG.

The Coral Methane is set to to distribute LNG to the Northern European gas company AGA AS (AGA).

Shell says the new berth supports the shipping industry's growing demand for LNG, which is increasing as a result of stricter regulations on emissions.

"Gate terminal and its shareholders Gasunie and Vopak are excited to be sharing this milestone with Shell," said Rolf Brouwer, Managing Director of Gate terminal.

"Demand for LNG as a fuel in the shipping industry is increasing, and Gate terminal is playing a leading role in providing the infrastructure and operations to load LNG on behalf of Shell on board of vessels for further distribution."

As previously reported, Shell is the new berth's launching customer, and is noted to have reserved some of the capacity for the loading of small vessels, including a new bunker vessel that has been ordered by the company.