UK-based Global Maritime Services has launched a new marine department to offer FSRU advisory services, as European countries look to fast-track LNG imports and diversify gas supplies.
There is a “scramble” to secure reliable gas supplies across Europe ahead of the winter season, GMS notes in a press release issued on August 19.
The European Commission’s RePowerEU initiative recommends the diversification of gas supplies from other international partners in case of a disruption of Russian gas supplies in the near future, it said.
Energy providers are keen to find natural gas solutions that can swiftly fulfil the demand for power generation, the firm said.
GMS says this is where FSRUs come into the picture, as they are a customizable, accelerated LNG import solution.
Building conventional shore-based LNG import terminals can take years, whereas FSRUs are fully operational within months.
Compared to onshore LNG terminals, FSRUs also require relatively low investment to start operations.
Ultimately, FSRUs provide new entrants into the LNG import market with a fast-track solution to cater to their energy needs, GMS said.
Several European countries have chartered or bought FSRUs this year. These include Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, etc.
“This is truly a challenging time to be involved in the regasification and LNG import domain. Due to the regional energy supply insecurity, there is an increase in requests for floating storage and regasification units, new and converted, and each energy solution comes with its own unique set of advantages and challenges,” GMS director, Igor Tončić, said in the statement.
“Our team is ready to provide advisory service at every stage of the client’s floating technology project. We can advise various stakeholders during the start-up, commission, and operational phases of a floating terminal from the marine, safety, and cargo-handling point of view,” he said.