Belgium’s Exmar has teamed up with EemsEnergy Terminal, a Gasunie and Vopak joint venture, to extend the operation of the Eemshaven LNG import terminal beyond 2027.
Under the agreement, the Antwerp-based gas shipowner and infrastructure provider will own and operate two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) with a combined capacity of about 190,000 cu m of LNG.
Exmar plans to convert one of its LNG carriers into a new FSRU to replace the existing unit at Eemshaven. The new unit will be stationed alongside the Eemshaven LNG FSRU, boosting the terminal’s overall efficiency and flexibility.
EemsEnergy Terminal said it intends to charter both units from Exmar, giving users continued access to the Dutch TTF gas market. The partnership supports efforts to secure Europe’s energy supply and diversify LNG import options for the Netherlands and the wider northwest European region.
The EemsEnergy Terminal, operational since September 2022, currently handles around 8bn cu m of LNG per year. Gasunie and Vopak aim to lift this to 10bn cu m as part of a broader plan to expand open-access LNG infrastructure in Europe.
An open season for future capacity bookings is expected to conclude by early 2026, with the terminal extension still dependent on a final investment decision. Exmar said it will work closely with the joint venture and other stakeholders to develop the “next-generation” FSRU design, expected to remain operational until at least 2036.
