Dutch gas grid and LNG terminal operator, Gasunie, is expecting its two chartered floating storage and regasification units to arrive by September 7 at the new LNG import hub in Eemshaven.
EemsEnergyTerminal, the first FSRU-based facility in the Netherlands, is being prepared in record time so it can welcome the two units, as the Netherlands and other European countries such as Germany look to slash reliance on Russian pipeline gas and boost energy security.
In March this year, Belgium’s Exmar and Gasunie signed a five-year charter deal for the 120 meters long 26,000-cbm FSRU S188.
Following a trip from Singapore, this barge-based FSRU arrived in Rotterdam in June for modification works at the Damen yard.
In the meantime, Exmar also renamed this unit Eeemshaven LNG.
Besides this FSRU, Gasunie also signed a charter deal for a larger FSRU with US LNG player New Fortress Energy. The vessel in question is the 170,000-cbm Golar Igloo.
Golar Igloo arrived in Rotterdam from Denmark last week, its AIS data shows.
Gasunie to host event in Eemshaven on September 8
A spokeswoman for Gasunie told LNG Prime via email that the FSRU Golar Igloo would arrive on September 4 at about 17.20h local time in Groningen province’s Eemshaven port.
As per the FSRU Eemshaven LNG, it would probably arrive on September 7 in Eemshaven, the spokeswoman said.
Also, Gasunie would hold an official ceremony to welcome the two FSRUs on September 8, attended by officials from Gasunie, the Czech Prime Minister, and others, the spokeswoman said.
The state-owned firm previously said it expects first delivery of LNG through the terminal to take place in mid-September.
The spokeswoman did not provide any additional information regarding the first shipment.
To remind, LNG giant Shell booked 4 bcm while Czech firm ČEZ took 3 bcm of the terminal’s total capacity. France’s Engie secured the remaining 1 bcm of capacity.
The Eemshaven hub is the second LNG import facility in the Netherlands after the Gate terminal in Rotterdam, which is owned by Gasunie and Vopak.
With an expansion at the Gate terminal in Rotterdam and the Eemshaven project, Dutch capacity will double from current 12 bcm to 24 bcm.