Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 18 December 2007
- Gasunie and Vopak agreed with Essent to participate in the preparations of a newLNG import terminal in the Eemshaven port, the Netherlands
- Heads of Agreement signed
- Gasunie and Vopak each acquire a stake of 25% in the project
N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie) and Koninklijke Vopak N.V. (Vopak) have agreed with Essent N.V. to further develop the Eemshaven LNG project. Companies have signed a Heads of Agreement. As part of the deal, Gasunie and Vopak each acquire a 25% stake in the project, while Essent keeps a 50% stake.
Gasunie and Vopak are partners who took the initiative to develop Gate terminal, the first Dutch LNG import terminal, which will be built at the Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Gate terminal has an initial throughput capacity of 9 billion cubic meter (bcm) per year and can be expanded to a maximum of 16 bcm per year. The throughput capacity of the planned terminal in the Eemshaven port will be maximum 12 bcm per year.
Gasunie and Vopak have taken the final investment decision on the Gate terminal project, in which Essent will participate, both as a customer (for 3 bcm gas throughput) and as a shareholder (5%).
Profile N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
Gasunie is a gas infrastructure and transport company headquartered in the Netherlands. Gasunie owns and operates one of the largest networks in Europe, serving a broad range of customers who wish to have their gas supplies transported in a safe and sustainable manner, at a competitive price. In doing so, Gasunie serves the public interest at large. (www.gasunie.nl).
Profile Vopak
Royal Vopak is the world's largest independent tank terminal operator specialising in the storage and handling of liquid and gaseous chemical and oil products. On request, Vopak can provide complementary logistics services for customers at its terminals. Vopak operates 74 terminals with a storage capacity of more than 21 million cbm in 30 countries. The terminals are strategically located for users and the major shipping routes. The majority of its customers are companies operating in the chemical and oil industries, for which Vopak stores a large variety of products destined for a wide range of industries.
Profile Essent
With an annual turnover of EUR 6,400 million in 2006, Essent is the largest energy company in the Netherlands. Essent supplies electricity, gas and heating to domestic and business customers. Essent is active throughout the energy chain: from the production of energy up to and including delivery to end users. The company regards the Netherlands as its home market, but has now also built up a considerable market position in Germany and is increasingly active in Belgium. The environmental branch of the concern processes waste into energy and residual current. Essent employs some 10,000 people.