Zeebrugge Trans-Ships Yamal LNG Cargo

A cargo from Yamal LNG was for the first time on May 1 trans-shipped simultaneously in Zeebrugge, according to the port authority, namely from the ice-class vessel (ARC7) into a conventional LNG carrier for onward transport to Asia.

Port of Zeebrugge said May 3 that the Russian ice class vessel ms Eduard Toll transferred simultaneously LNG into the ms Pskov via shore pipes; this took place at quays 615 and 616 of the Fluxys terminal (see banner photo above, courtesy of the Port of Zeebrugge). 

In 2015 the Fluxys terminal was selected as one trans-shipment hub by Yamal LNG. Port of Zeebrugge said that contract constitutes for Zeebrugge an annual transhipment of 107 LNG loads from ice-class vessels to conventional LNG vessels, or 214 vessel movements in the port. In winter time – when the northern sea routes are frozen in Siberia – the ice-class LNG vessels will shuttle from Sabetta to Zeebrugge.

There have already been several simultaneous trans-shipments of Yamal LNG cargoes  at the French port of Montoir and Dutch port of Rotterdam (Gate) to date. In addition, Yamal LNG cargoes have been unloaded, then later reloaded, into conventional LNG carriers at ports such as Isle of Grain in the UK and Ferrol in northwest Spain. 

Update May 8: Yamal LNG said later on May 7 it had shipped the second million tons of LNG produced at its first LNG train.

The venture added that LNG deliveries under long-term contracts started in April 2018, as had been expected, with four LNG cargoes already shipped under such commitments. Also in April, the first firing of compressor gas turbines was performed at the second LNG train comprising 5.5 million tons per annum, which represents one of the key milestones in the preparation of the train’s upcoming launch.