LNG Development Boosts Investments in Dutch Transport Sector and Creates Jobs

The introduction of LNG (liquefied natural gas) as an alternative, cleaner fuel for road transport, inland waterway transport and coastal shipping is expected to bring an extra 2.7 million euros in economic growth and 8,000 man years between now and 2030, in the Netherlands.

The development of LNG is therefore of strategic importance to the Dutch transport sector. It offers the Netherlands opportunities to reinforce its gas hub position and to boost investments and create new jobs.

These are the conclusions of a survey that was conducted by PwC on the instructions of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as part of the ‘Rhine and Wadden Green Deal’. The Green Deal involves a partnership between the government and business as well as research and educational institutes, aiming to promote green growth. Today, the National LNG Platform evaluated the results and presented new initiatives. One year after the start of the Green Deal, the new LNG chain is up and running: 7 LNG fuelling stations are operational, 100 LNG trucks are on the road, 2 LNG inland vessels are in service, 1 small-scale LNG tanker ship is in service, 1 bunkering station for ships is operational, Rotterdam is the first European port to introduce LNG legislation.

• 7 LNG fuelling stations are operational.
• 100 LNG trucks are on the road.
• 2 LNG inland vessels are in service.
• 1 small-scale LNG tanker ship is in service.
• A bunkering station for ships is operational.
• Rotterdam is the first European port to introduce LNG legislation.

Ger van Tongeren, chairman of the one-year-old National LNG Platform: “There are huge opportunities. In order to capitalize on them, the development of demand and supply should be  coordinated. Furthermore, it requires substantial investments. This involves a comprehensive  chain: LNG is transported to our country by ship and delivered to the Gate terminal at the Maasvlakte. Through a smaller terminal, it is pumped into tank trucks or bunker ships, that  subsequently transport the LNG to fuelling stations or bunkering stations, where trucks and  ships refuel. The beauty of it is that the entire chain is represented in our Platform. The Green  Deal furthermore enables collaboration with the central government, across several  Departments. With respect to excise duty on LNG for freight transport, for instance, we expect to have a solution available for the planned excise duty increase shortly.”