EC Clears Dutch LNG JV

The European Commission (EC) said June 8 it has cleared the proposed acquisition of joint control over PitPoint LNG in the Netherlands.

Primagaz Nederland, part of Dutch firm SHV, agreed on May 17 to acquire 50% of the shares of PitPoint LNG, a newly formed venture, from the latter's parent PitPoint Clean Fuels. The new joint venture will focus entirely on the exploitation of LNG for the automotive and marine market.

SHV is active in the trade and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its Primagaz brand on the continent and Calor Gas in the UK, and also in the retailing of LNG for heating. The EC concluded that the new joint venture would raise no competition concerns.

The new LNG-fueled ferry Texelstroom operates between Den Helder and the island of Texel (Photo credit: naval architects C-Job)

PitPoint LNG said then that its short-term ambition is to build five LNG truck stations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg area and two bunker stations for the inland waterways sector. The mid long term target is to develop at least ten truck stations.  PitPoint Clean Fuels' contribution will mainly focus on the construction, maintenance and exploitation of the LNG stations, such as the completely renovated LNG station in the Dutch city of Zwolle.

The new venture will compete with Titan LNG and other retail suppliers of LNG on the Dutch market.

Mark Smedley