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International law firm Simmons & Simmons has advised Gate (Gas Access to Europe) terminal, a joint venture between Gasunie and Royal Vopak, on its expansion project to offer liquefied natural gas (LNG) break bulk services to its customers at the terminal.

The expansion is designed to enhance Gate terminal's ability to act as the gateway for the distribution of LNG in northwest Europe. The new infrastructure will be developed to assist in meeting demand for the use of LNG as a fuel, which is expected to grow substantially following the introduction of stringent new emission regulations (SECA) for the marine sector in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea from 2015. By using LNG as a fuel, barges, coasters, ferries, as well as heavy trucks, can reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 20%, their nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 85%, while reducing sulphur and particle emissions to almost zero.

Oil major Shell has been contracted as the launching customer of the new facilities. Construction is due to start this year and completion scheduled for 2016.

Commenting on the transaction, Simmons & Simmons' London-based Energy & Infrastructure finance specialist, Andrew Petry, said: "I have worked on the Gate terminal LNG project since 2006. On behalf of the team here at Simmons & Simmons, we are pleased to be involved in this latest expansion to help Gate terminal lead the way internationally by developing new services for its customers in a rapidly changing gas market environment."

The Simmons & Simmons team was led by Andrew Petry, who was assisted by Rose-Anna Daukes.