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27 min ago 2 min read
Belgium-based shipping company Exmar has begun converting a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier into a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to expand the existing Eemshaven LNG FSRU in the Netherlands.
The Belgian player has secured the vessel for the conversion project, which is a dual-fuel diesel-electric membrane LNG carrier.
The project is advancing the long-term expansion of the EemsEnergyTerminal, a subsidiary of Gasunie and Vopak, following the signing of a conditional charter party.
“By starting these works for the FSRU conversion, Exmar and EemsEnergyTerminal continue to work towards an improved LNG import solution for Europe’s energy security,” said Carl-Antoine Saverys, CEO of Exmar.
Converting an LNG carrier to an FSRU involves installing specialised regasification modules, high-pressure pumps, and boil-off gas management systems on deck. This transforms a transport vessel into a stationary terminal.
This modification is often faster and more cost-effective than new construction, allowing the vessel to take liquid LNG and convert it into natural gas for delivery to land-based pipelines.
Once converted, the FSRU will be positioned next to Eemshaven LNG FSRU, which remains on site.
The terminal is expected to have a combined storage capacity of around 190,000 cubic metres of LNG and a total regasification capacity of 1.35 million standard cubic feet per day.
In March, EemsEnergyTerminal received its 200th LNG carrier. It is planned for the terminal to remain operational until 2036, with a large amount of capacity already contracted.
The terminal was developed in 2022 to increase energy security and reduce dependency on Russian natural gas. According to Gasunie, using the terminal means that an additional eight billion cubic metres of natural gas can be supplied to the Netherlands every year.
