Dutch gas grid operator Gasunie has secured a small floating storage and regasification unit from Belgian shipowner Exmar for its planned terminal in Eemshaven, as the Netherlands looks to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
Exmar said in a statement on Friday it has signed a deal with Gasunie LNG to charter its 26,000-cbm, barge-based FSRU S188 for a period of five years.
The 120 meters long FSRU has a capacity of 600 mmscfd.
Gasunie would use the FSRU as a floating LNG import terminal at Eemshaven in Groningen, in view of the geopolitical developments currently going on in Europe and the increased emphasis of governments on the security of energy supply, Exmar said.
The Dutch firm recently said it was looking to build the country’s second LNG import facility in the Eemshaven port, operated by Groningen Seaports, but also boost capacity at the Gate terminal in Rotterdam.
With the new LNG facility in Eemshaven and the expansion of Gate, the LNG capacity in the Netherlands could double from 12 bcm to 24 bcm, Gasunie said.
According to Exmar, the objective is to deploy the FSRU S188 and have the terminal up and running by the end of the third quarter of 2022.
Exmar said in September last year it had expected to find work for the small FSRU in the next twelve months after trader Gunvor terminated a long-term charter deal.
The company had previously chartered the FSRU to Gunvor in 2018 for a period of 10 years to serve its clients in Bangladesh.
“We are happy to reach this agreement with Gasunie. It proves the possibilities of our floating infrastructure solutions as a quick to market and competitive solution for securing energy supply to communities, industries and households,” Nicolas Saverys, Exmar’s executive chairman said.