Fourth LNG tank on Maasvlakte comes into operation
The expansion adds 4 billion cubic metres of regasification capacity a year, according to Gasunie.
The fourth storage tank at the Gate terminal on Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte has been completed and will come into operation from Friday. The expansion increases the Netherlands’ capacity to store liquefied natural gas and convert it back into gas.
According to Gasunie, the new tank has a storage capacity of 180,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Construction took three years. Gate is a joint venture between Gasunie and Vopak and receives LNG by ship, after which the gas is made suitable for delivery through the transmission network.
With the fourth tank, Gasunie says it is adding 4 billion cubic metres of regasification capacity a year. The terminal’s total capacity will thereby rise to 20 billion cubic metres a year. Gasunie compares this with a Dutch gas market of around 30 billion cubic metres a year.
According to Gasunie, the tank was partly built in response to the 2022 energy crisis. Since then, LNG has been regarded as one of the ways in which the Netherlands and other European countries seek to diversify their gas supplies. The terminal can supply gas to the Netherlands and neighbouring countries, depending on available transmission capacity and market demand.
The expansion in itself says nothing about the amount of gas actually imported. That depends on deliveries by ship, international prices, contracts, transport options and demand for gas. Additional capacity can increase security of supply, but it is no guarantee of lower consumer prices.
The facility supports the existing gas infrastructure while the Netherlands is simultaneously trying to reduce its use of natural gas. LNG remains natural gas and therefore a fossil fuel. The expansion is thus primarily a choice for security of supply in the short and medium term, not for a climate-neutral energy supply.
Gate is also investigating market interest in a fifth loading jetty. According to the terminal, that possible expansion could also be used for small-scale LNG ship-loading services. No decision has yet been taken on the plan; the current completion concerns only the fourth storage tank.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The fourth LNG tank on Maasvlakte has been completed and will come into operation on 1 October 2026.
- The tank increases storage capacity by 180,000 cubic metres of LNG and regasification capacity by 4 billion cubic metres a year.
- LNG is natural gas and remains a fossil fuel.
- The expansion does not automatically change gas prices or actual import volumes.
Left
Arguments The expansion could prolong dependence on fossil-fuel infrastructure and divert investment from energy efficiency, wind, solar and heating. Security of supply is important, but according to this approach it should not come at the expense of faster climate action.
Values Climate justice, public stewardship, energy efficiency and protecting future generations.
Consequences Low-income households and vulnerable regions in particular bear the consequences of climate change and high energy costs. New LNG capacity could also increase the risk of prolonged fossil-fuel lock-in.
Centre
Arguments For the time being, the Netherlands needs a robust energy system as long as gas is still being used. An additional tank could reduce risks in the event of a disruption to supplies, but it should be assessed alongside the phase-out of gas demand and clear climate conditions.
Values Reliability, affordability, feasibility and compliance with climate targets.
Consequences The infrastructure could be useful temporarily, but its economic value depends on whether the Netherlands and neighbouring countries make sufficient use of the capacity without slowing the energy transition.
Right
Arguments A domestic and ample gas infrastructure makes the Netherlands less vulnerable to geopolitical pressure and sudden shortages. The government should prioritise energy security and affordability and give market participants room to use the capacity.
Values National resilience, economic continuity, affordability and technological freedom of choice.
Consequences A gas shortage could severely affect industry, employment and households. According to this approach, it is wiser to have capacity in reserve than to depend on optimistic assumptions about rapid decarbonisation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The technical data come from Gasunie’s press release and are consistent with information from Gate and the Lower House (Tweede Kamer). The text clearly distinguishes between capacity, actual imports and policy choice.
- confirmed The fourth LNG tank has a storage capacity of 180,000 cubic metres. — Gasunie explicitly states this capacity. source
- confirmed The expansion adds 4 billion cubic metres of regasification capacity a year. — This is stated in Gasunie’s press release. source
- confirmed Gate is a joint venture between Gasunie and Vopak. — Gate lists the ownership structure on its own website. source
- confirmed The expansion does not guarantee lower gas prices. — This is an analytical formulation that follows from the distinction between terminal capacity and market prices; no price reduction is claimed. source
Editor's note
The technical capacity and completion date come from Gasunie. The effect on gas prices and the actual utilisation of the capacity cannot be established on the basis of the available sources.Sources
- Vierde LNG-tank Gate terminal gereed — Gasunie
- Home - Gate — Gate terminal
- Voorzienings- en leveringszekerheid — Tweede Kamer
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „lng gasunie”
- de Volkskrant — „lng gasunie”
- NU.nl — „lng gasunie”