EemsEnergyTerminal, The Netherlands

EemsEnergyTerminal is an operational floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal developed in the Netherlands.

The facility is owned by Dutch natural gas infrastructure and transportation company Gasunie (50%) and storage and infrastructure solutions provider Vopak (50%).

The terminal commenced commercial operations in September 2022. It was developed in response to gas supply insecurities and reduce dependence on Russian natural gas.

The facility has a regas capacity of 8 billion cubic metres per year.

In June 2024, both partners started consultations for hydrogen infrastructure at the site and keep the terminal for a longer period.

EemsEnergyTerminal Location

The EemsEnergy Terminal is located in the Eemshaven area of the Netherlands. Eemshaven is a seaport located in the Province of Groningen in the northern part of the country.

Development History

In March 2022, Gasunie and the Government of the Netherlands started exploring ways to increase the country’s LNG import capacity. The options that were under consideration included using a floating LNG terminal at Eemshaven.

Until 2022, the Netherlands had only one LNG terminal in the port of Rotterdam.

Subsequently, Gasunie signed a charter with Belgian shipping company Exmar for a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU).

In May 2022, the Dutch company signed a binding contract for the second FSRU vessel with American energy infrastructure company New Fortress Energy.

EemsEnergyTerminal began operations in September 2022, with first natural gas started flowing into Gasunie’s gas network as early as middle of the month.

In December 2023, Vopak became a 50% partner in EemsEnergyTerminal.

The terminal marked a key milestone in June 2024 with the arrival of the 100th LNG carrier.

EemsEnergyTerminal Details

The terminal liquefies natural gas transported by ship to Eemshaven to gaseous state. Subsequently, the gas is transported through the country’s underground gas network.

EemsEnergyTerminal key infrastructure includes two Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs).

The two FSRUs of the terminal- the Exmar S188 (Eemshaven LNG) and the Golar Igloo (New Fortress Energy) have been leased for the terminal for five years. These vessels are located in one of the Eemshaven harbour basins.

The Golar Igloo and the Eemshaven LNG Installation FSRUs arrived first and second respectively. The Golar Igloo was the first to be connected to the natural gas grid of the Netherlands followed by Exmar S188.

There are connecting pipes between the FSRUs.

Incoming ships carrying LNG arrive at the terminal and are moored ship-to-ship to the Golar Igloo for unloading.

Both the FSRUs then regasify and feed gas into Gasunie’s gas pipeline network. The terminal will also be able to store LNG.

EemsEnergyTerminal infrastructure includes a natural gas pipeline and a hot water pipeline which were laid on the quay.

The new gas pipeline is connected to Gasunie’s existing network. It runs underground outside the terminal.

The EemsEnergy Terminal has a capacity of 8 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, equivalent to 25% of the annual gas demand of the Netherlands.

Contractors Involved

New Fortress Energy and Exmar leased the FSRUs for five years.

Both the FSRUs were moored under the agency of maritime logistics provider Wagenborg. Wagenborg also supported the development of the terminal by providing cranes to construct new pipelines.

EemsEnergy Terminal Offtake Contracts

In July 2022, EemsEnergyTerminal signed contracts with Shell Western LNG and ČEZ (Czech Republic). As per the contracts, Shell Western and ČEZ will receive a total of 7bcm of LNG from the terminal.

A month later, in August 2022, Engie signed a contract to purchase the remaining 1bcm of the capacity of the terminal.