EU supports Rotterdam LNG hub development

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has announced its delight that two European subsidy applications relating to LNG have been granted. This includes a €40 million grant for LNG infrastructure for the Rhine-Main-Danube area and a €34 million subsidy for the LNG breakbulk terminals in Gothenburg and Rotterdam. The projects will create Europe’s first logistics chain for LNG.

The port has been aiming to develop the market for LNG as a fuel and open an LNG hub in Europe before the end of 2015. In order to achieve these aims, the Port Authority has been investing in infrastructure including a break bulk terminal. It has also been working on new regulations and investing in cooperation with relevant partners.

European LNG logistics chain

The port believes that the subsidy will benefit the whole European LNG logistics chain. For instance, 33 partners are involved in the LNG Masterplan for the Rhine-Main-Danube corridor. The project is coordinated by ‘ProDanube’. The Port Authority is coordinator for the Rhine corridor. The ports of Antwerp, Strasbourg, Mannheim and Basel and several private parties are also involved. The subsidy for the breakbulk terminals relates to a joint venture between the ports of Gothenburg and Rotterdam. It will also soon be possible to supply LNG to the bunker market in (north)west Europe via the breakbulk terminal.

Edited from various sources by Callum O'Reilly

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