- Agreement to acquire 50% of the shares in EemsEnergyTerminal
- Gate preparing a final investment decision for the 4th LNG Tank
- Vopak decides to no longer make use of the share right of 49.99% of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Hong Kong
Vopak to become shareholder in EemsEnergyTerminal
Gasunie and Vopak entered into a principle agreement whereby Vopak will acquire 50% of the shares in EemsEnergyTerminal B.V. This transaction will be subject to a number of conditions, including the approval from the competition authorities. The transaction is targeted to be completed latest by 1 October 2023.
The EemsEnergyTerminal is an LNG import terminal located in the Eemshaven in the Netherlands. Gasunie developed this new floating LNG terminal in the Eemshaven area in response to gas supply insecurities and a desire to reduce the dependency on Russian gas. The LNG terminal has been operational since 15 September 2022 and has a regas capacity of 8 billion cubic meters per year. The partners will explore to increase the capacity further. This agreement highlights the commitment of Gasunie and Vopak to jointly develop and operate open access LNG infrastructure in the Netherlands and contribute to the energy security of Europe. The partners are planning the further development of the Eemshaven site to facilitate the import of green hydrogen.
Ulco Vermeulen, director business development at Gasunie: “I am pleased with the intention of Vopak to become a co-shareholder in EemsEnergyTerminal, as our long-term partner in enabling energy import and terminalling. By pooling our knowledge and experience we will offer a unique and reliable LNG import solution and we will be even better positioned and committed to the future development of green hydrogen import infrastructure.”
Walter Moone, president New Energies & LNG at Vopak: “We are excited to build upon our successful partnership with Gasunie. This fits very well with Vopak’s strategy to grow in LNG infrastructure and accelerate towards new energies. We are proud to develop and operate reliable and open access infrastructure as this plays an important role both in the security of energy, as well as in the energy transition.”
Gate terminal Rotterdam
Vopak and Gasunie are the founders and owners of Gate terminal in Rotterdam which has been operational since 2011. The terminal has a current regas capacity of 16 billion cubic meters per year. The Open Season gauging market interest for an additional 4 billion cubic meters per year of regas capacity has recently been closed, a fourth tank would be constructed for this additional capacity. Gate will continue to develop this project, including financing with the aim to reach a final investment decision by September 2023. Once all envisaged projects at Gate terminal have been completed, the terminal will have a regas capacity of 20 billion cubic meters per year.
Hong Kong LNG Terminal Project
Vopak has decided to no longer pursue the acquisition of 49.99% of the vessel owning company of MOL that owns a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). Vopak has been working with MOL for developing and commissioning the Hong Kong FSRU LNG terminal, and Vopak has contributed much to the establishment of a reliable system for the operation and maintenance of the terminal. Although the commercial start is expected later this year, the delay of the project has resulted in reduced attractiveness and made Vopak decide not to make use of the share right. Vopak will remain involved in the commissioning of the terminal and will continue to provide support to the operation of the terminal as required.
Financial framework
As previously announced during Vopak’s updates.
– Vopak aims to improve the performance of the portfolio and targets an operating cash return of above 12% by 2025.
– Vopak will grow its base in industrial and gas terminals by allocating EUR 1 billion to these activities by 2030.
– Vopak will accelerate its portfolio investments towards new energies and sustainable feedstocks by allocating EUR 1 billion in growth capital to these activities by 2030.
To reach these targets Vopak is having a disciplined approach to capital allocation. Vopak’s equity investments in EemsEnergyTerminal and Gate terminal are expected to be around EUR 100 million and will result in attractive operating cash return. There is no material financial impact for Vopak as a result of no longer pursuing the acquisition of 49.99% of the vessel owning company of MOL.
