NEWS
Vopak advances Rotterdam LNG terminal plan
Rotterdam, Aug 16 (LNG journal)
- Rotterdam, Aug 16 (LNG journal) -- Royal Vopak, the world's leading tank terminal storage and handling company, said it's started a feasibility study with Dutch gas company, Nederlandse Gasunie, to develop a liquefied natural gas terminal at Rotterdam.
Both companies said they identified the north-west section of the Maasvlakte at Rotterdam as a potential location. Rotterdam is one of the main hubs in Europe for the handling of crude and petroleum products and the Vopak statement signals a potential further advance for LNG in Europe and the Atlantic Basin.
"The selection of this location for an LNG terminal is the result of the collaboration between Vopak and Gasunie announced on 25 April 2005," a Vopak statement said.
"A number of major market players operating in the LNG sector have expressed interest in using an LNG terminal and in joining forces with Gasunie and Vopak," it added.
The statement also said that the government of the Netherlands has "reacted positively" to the initiative of Vopak and Gasunie.
Gasunie is 50 percent controlled by the Dutch government, while Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell each hold 25 percent.
After the conclusion of the feasibility study and completion of the procedures for obtaining licences, the construction of a terminal could commence in 2007, Vopak said. The terminal could be operating towards the end of 2010.
Vopak announced on July 12 that it was also seeking to develop its LNG business in Asia by signing an agreement with Korea Gas Corp. to co-operate in the development of receiving terminals in several Asian countries.
