Eemshaven LNG terminal handles 92 ships with gas for Czechia

Eemshaven LNG terminal handles 92 ships with gas for Czechia

Prague, Oct 1 (CTK) - The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Dutch port of Eemshaven, which has been in operation since September 2022, has handled a total of 92 ships carrying gas destined for the Czech Republic over the course of its four years of operation, energy group CEZ told CTK.

In total, the ships delivered 8.2 billion cubic metres of gas, which corresponds to roughly 14 months of Czechia's gas consumption and more than four years' worth of consumption by all Czech households.

According to CEZ, the shipments did not include any gas from Russia, with the majority brought by ships originating in the USA.

Eemshaven was the first LNG terminal to begin operations in Europe since the start of the war in Ukraine. The facility can process eight billion cubic metres of gas per year, of which up to three billion can be directed to the Czech Republic.

Despite the crisis in the Middle East, imports this year are continuing at the same pace as last year. So far this year, 20 ships ordered by CEZ have arrived at the Dutch terminal, carrying a total cargo of 1.8 billion cubic metres of gas.

"LNG deliveries via the facility in Eemshaven have helped us ensure sufficient gas supplies for Czech households and industry even during the energy crisis. The current situation also confirms just how important a decision our investment in capacity at the floating terminal was. The war in the Middle East has significantly disrupted global gas trade, but liquefied natural gas for CEZ continues to flow to Eemshaven without interruption. We transport most of the raw material by tanker directly from fields in the United States," said CEZ CEO Daniel Benes.

CEZ currently has capacity leased until September of next year, but the government has tasked the company this year with negotiating an extension of the lease. However, the terminal operator has not yet concluded negotiations with interested parties. In addition to Eemshaven, CEZ plans to use an onshore terminal in Stade, Germany, in the future and also has a contract with the Algerian state-owned company Sonatrach.

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