Qatargas sends Q-Max ‘Al Samriya’ to deliver first Qatari LNG to Gate terminal
Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) producing company, has delivered the first Qatari cargo to the Netherlands, aboard its Q-Max vessel the ‘Al-Samriya’.
The vessel is carrying the third and final commissioning LNG cargo for the start-up of Gate terminal, the new re-gasification LNG facility at the northern part of the existing Port of Rotterdam.
Gate Terminal, the first independent LNG import terminal in the Netherlands, is currently being developed by main shareholders N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie and Royal Vopak.
After covering over 6,400 nautical miles in 18 days, the Q-Max ‘Al-Samriya’ arrived at the Gate terminal marking the first delivery of LNG from Qatar to the Netherlands.
Senior representatives from Qatargas, BP, Gate Terminal B.V and Merrill Lynch Commodities were present at a ceremony held at the terminal to mark the arrival of the Q-Max.
The LNG delivered to Gate terminal was produced by one of Qatargas’ seven LNG Trains, three of which are the largest LNG trains in the world and together provide Qatargas with a production capacity of 42mn tonnes per annum.
“Qatari LNG continues to have a key role to play in helping countries around the world improve the diversity of their energy supplies. We are pleased with having played a role in the commissioning of Gate terminal, which in turn will aid in meeting the growing demand for energy in Europe,” Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani, CEO Qatargas, said here.
Through Gate terminal, the Netherlands is connected to gas flows from around the world, which will further strengthen the country’s position as gas roundabout in Europe, according to Branko Pokorny, managing director of Gate terminal.