The Netherlands: DNV Prepares for Safety and Compliance at Gate LNG Terminal

Rotterdam’s Gate terminal will be the first LNG import terminal in The Netherlands and DNV is assisting the developers to meet the safety and regulatory requirements set for this landmark project.

The initiators of the project are Gasunie and Vopak and the terminal will have an initial capacity for handling 12 billion cubic metres of LNG per year (enough to provide natural gas to all 7 million households in The Netherlands). The terminal is scheduled to receive its first LNG vessel in the second half of 2011.

DNV is providing expertise in the field of safety management and emergency preparedness to the EPC contractor TSLNG and operator Gate terminal, and have also conducted a security and vulnerability study.

“Much of the work we do helps the project team meet mandatory government requirements such as the Seveso II Directive aimed at preventing accidents involving dangerous substances,” said Torgeir Sterri, DNV’s regional manager Central Europe. “This project introduces a whole new energy strategy for The Netherlands and our experience and systematic approach ensures that the risks can be managed effectively.”

Hazard identification and quantitative risk analysis are key components of DNV’s service and the scope of work covers not only employees of the terminal but also the wider community around Gate terminal like the very big neighbour oil terminal – the MOT terminal.

In support of this DNV has helped TSLNG demonstrate that explosion risks have been determined and assessed and that adequate measures have been taken with respect to ATEX-Directive 1999/92/EC. DNV has also conducted human factors workshops to inform project members about this very important element of safe operation.

The Gate terminal will consist of three storage tanks and two jetties and will host an estimated 180 ship movements each year. It is expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2011 and has been designed with the capacity to expand in the future.

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Source: DNV, February 23, 2011;