North Finland LNG Terminal 'Mechanically Complete'
Finnish technology firm Wartsila said August 31 that it achieved mechanical completion of the Tornio Manga LNG terminal in northern Finland, where it is turnkey contractor, on August 18. It was awarded the overall contract in January 2014. Commercial start-up is scheduled for mid-2018.
The new terminal cost €100mn ($120mn) to build, has storage for 50,000 m3 of LNG, and was developed by Manga LNG, a consortium of leading northern Europe marine LNG distributor Skangas and three others (Outokumpu, SSAB Europe, EPV Energia). Skangas is majority-owned by Finnish utility Gasum.
“We are very satisfied with achieving this significant project milestone in original time schedule. We are now looking forward to moving towards commissioning and start-up phase in order to start LNG deliveries to our customers in the spring 2018,“ said Manga CEO Mika Kolehmainen.
The next major step of the project is expected to take place in November 2017 when the first shipment of LNG is scheduled for arrival.
When in commercial operation mid-2018, the Tornio Manga LNG terminal will supply gas to a local stainless steel mill, and LNG to local industries and other consumers in the region, and play a significant role in enabling growth and reducing the region's carbon footprint, said Wartsila.
Delivering fuller LNG cargoes to market
Wartsila also said August 31 it was awarded contracts this spring to supply re-liquefaction units to three LNG carriers. One is being built at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) yard in South Korea for Monaco-registered shipowner Gaslog. The others are for Norway based Knutsen and are being built at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) yard in South Korea. Many LNG carriers use boil-off gas as fuel in ship propulsion; but others prefer to avoid boil-off by incorporating re-liquefaction units, and consequently burn more alternative fuel such as marine diesel.
Mark Smedley