Exmar launches FSRU conversion project for Eemshaven LNG terminal

The commencement of the conversion of an LNG carrier into an FSRU comes after joint venture parent companies Gasunie and Vopak signed a conditional charter party to extend the existing Eemshaven FSRU, also Exmar’s, and to add the FSRU that Exmar began conversion works on once the vessel is finished.

Exmar said its decision to start the conversion project "is based on the intention of the EemsEnergyTerminal to take conditional final investment decision (FID) in the first half of 2026.

"EXMAR has now secured the vessel for the conversion project, being a dual-fuel diesel electric membrane LNG carrier. EXMAR also initiated engineering activities and ordered a 750 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) LNG regasification plant with Gas Solutions," the company said in a statement, noting that "The conversion works are a next step in realising the continued operations of the EemsEnergyTerminal, with an anticipated configuration of two FSRUs owned and operated by EXMAR.

The newly converted FSRU would be positioned next to EXMAR’s Eemshaven LNG, Exmar said. The terminal is anticipated to have a combined storage capacity of approximately 190,000 m³ LNG and a total regasification capacity of 1,350 MMSCFD (equivalent to 13.5 Bcm/year), along with what Exmar said will be "improved performance".

EXMAR CEO Carl-Antoine Saverys said “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.”

In March 2022, shortly after the outbreak of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Gasunie agreed to take Exmar’s S188 unit on a five-year charter. The 2017-built, 120-m FSRU has a regasification capacity of up to 600 mmscfd (equivalent to 6 Bcm/year).

Chartered to Gasunie, the unit became operational within a year of a final investment decision.

“That was achieved by involving operations teams from day one,” EXMAR technical director Frederik Van Nuffel said during a Riviera webinar in 2025. “A lease-and-operate model aligns interests across the board.” The Eemshaven unit is powered by a permanent shore supply and features an additional storage floater. “The commercial terminal capacity is fully sold out to reputable industry stakeholders,” Mr Van Nuffel added.