EemsEnergyTerminal, the operator of the FSRU-based LNG terminal and a JV of Vopak and Gasunie, announced on Tuesday that it has entered a strategic partnership with Exmar as part of its preparation for extended operations in Eemshaven after September 2027.
The Eemshaven LNG hub consists of two chartered FSRUs– the 170,000-cbm FSRU Energos Igloo, owned by Energos Infrastructure, and the 26,000-cbm barge-based FSRU Eemshaven LNG, owned by Exmar.
It is the first FSRU-based terminal in the Netherlands and the second LNG import terminal in the country after Gate.
According to EemsEnergyTerminal, the converted FSRU is designed to enhance terminal efficiency and seamlessly integrate with the existing Eemshaven LNG (red) unit, currently operated by Exmar as part of the terminal.
This terminal set-up is expected to remain operational until at least 2036.
It offers a storage capacity of approximately 190,000 cbm of LNG and provides customers with direct access to the Dutch TTF gas market.
The LNG terminal operator did not provide further details regarding the planned FSRU conversion.
Exmar also did not provide further detals regarding the conversion in a separate statement.
EemsEnergyTerminal’s intention is to charter the two FSRUs from Exmar, it said.
The Belgian shipping firm currently only owns the 2002-built 130,034-cbm, Excalibur, which serves Eni’s Congo LNG project as a floating storage unit.
FID not yet taken
EemsEnergyTerminal said the extension of operations is still subject to a positive final investment decision.
The JV said this development supports the continued diversification of supply sources and strengthens the security of supply for Europe.
It said that all conditions to enable future customers to actively participate in the open season and secure long-term access to LNG import capacity at the Eemshaven facility are expected to be in place by December.
This includes the terminal use agreement and a signed time charter party with Exmar.
According to EemsEnergyTerminal, the open season is expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2026.
In the coming period, EemsEnergyTerminal will “continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure continued stable and reliable LNG import terminal that strengthens energy security in the Netherlands and Europe following the record number of vessels received in the summer of 2025.”
The LNG hub currently has a nameplate capacity of 8 billion cubic meters and supplies natural gas to capacity holders UK-based Shell, Czech utility CEZ, and France’s Engie.
Shell booked 4 bcm per year of the capacity, CEZ reserved 3 bcm per year, and Engie booked the rest.
The facility mainly receives LNG supplies from the US.
