FSRU Vasant 1 bolsters Turkey's LNG capacity

FSRU Vasant 1 is currently at the forefront of Turkey’s LNG import strategy, serving at the newly established Saros FSRU terminal, but that was not always meant to be.

This terminal, situated in Saros Bay, is part of Turkey’s broader initiative to enhance its LNG import capacity and strengthen its position as a regional energy hub. Vasant 1 arrived at the terminal in February 2023, carrying LNG from Egypt’s Damietta terminal. This vessel, with a capacity of 180,000 m³, is leased under a one-year charter to Turkey’s state-owned energy company BOTAŞ.

The Saros terminal is Turkey’s third FSRU-based LNG facility, reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on energy security and diversification.

However, the journey of Vasant 1 is closely tied to the delayed Jafrabad LNG import terminal project in Gujarat, India. Originally, the vessel was built for Swan Energy Ltd’s Jafrabad terminal, which was envisioned as India’s first FSRU-based LNG import facility.

However, delays in the Jafrabad project, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and rising LNG prices, prompted Swan Energy to redeploy Vasant 1 to Turkey on a temporary basis.

The deployment of Vasant 1 at the Saros terminal is not without controversy. The terminal’s construction faced significant environmental opposition due to its location in an ecologically sensitive area. Local activists have raised concerns about potential ecological damage, including deforestation and the risks associated with LNG operations in a seismically active region.

Despite these challenges, the project has proceeded, reflecting the Turkish government’s commitment to expanding its energy infrastructure.

Strategically, the Saros terminal has enabled Turkey to secure new energy partnerships, including a recent 13-year agreement with Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz to supply LNG.

This deal, along with others, enhances Turkey’s role in the regional gas market, leveraging its expanding LNG infrastructure to support neighbouring countries.

Vasant 1 now plays a pivotal role in this regional strategy, serving as a critical asset in Turkey’s energy supply chain, while potentially being part of India’s, too.