The world’s largest FSRU, owned by Japan’s MOL, has left the Dortyol terminal in Turkey. The vessel should later this year start serving a long-term contract in Hong Kong.
The 263,000-cbm MOL FSRU Challenger departed the Dortyol facility in the southern province of Hatay on Thursday, its AIS data shows, as it will be replaced by a new unit.
To remind, the LNG terminal will get a brand new 170,000-cbm FSRU, owned by Botas, which recently left Hyundai Heavy’s yard in South Korea.
Ertugrul Gazi was on Friday located in the Indian Ocean and should arrive in Turkey later this month.
Back to MOL’s FSRU. The 345 meters long vessel is on its way to Malta and it is not known whether it will immediately head towards Hong Kong to start serving the offshore LNG terminal project.
MOL previously said that the LNG import project should be completed by the end of this year.
Prior to the official launch, the unit will undergo testing at the new facility.
Hong Kong’s first LNG import project is a joint venture between Castle Peak Power (CAPCO) and Hongkong Electric.
MOL entered into a long-term charter for the FSRU back in 2019. Besides signing the contract with the duo, the Japanese firm also joined forces with Dutch Vopak for the development of the project’s jetty and maintenance services.
Moreover, the unit will supply gas to two power plants in Hong Kong.
These include the Black Point power station located in the New Territories and Lamma power station located at Lamma Island.
Energy giant Shell will supply LNG to the project as part of a long-term deal signed with the two utilities in 2019.
