European Union supports the development of an LNG hub in the Port of Rotterdam

The subsidy is in line with the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s endeavor to fully develop the market for LNG as a fuel and to open an LNG hub in Rotterdam before the end of 2015. In order to achieve this, the Port Authority is investing in infrastructure, it is closely involved in putting the necessary (inter)national policy and regulations in place and is investing in cooperation with relevant partners.

Besides boosting the Rotterdam LNG hub, the funding will benefit the whole European LNG logistics chain. For instance, 33 partners are involved in the LNG Masterplan for the Rhine-Main-Danube corridor, coordinated by ‘ProDanube’ and the Port Authority. The ports of Antwerp, Strasbourg, Mannheim and Basel and a few private parties are also involved. The subsidy for the breakbulk terminals relates to a joint venture between the ports of Gothenburg and Rotterdam.

The first inland vessels to sail on LNG in the Port are the Argonon and the Greenstream recently launched, which Shell now charters. This year, the municipality of Rotterdam amended the regulations, so that inland shipping can now bunker. Supported by this subsidy, the port authorities of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Gothenburg and Antwerp, among others, are now preparing further joint international regulations.

Source: Port of Rotterdam