The 'Golar Igloo' natural gas tanker arrived in the Netherlands on September 4.Siese Veenstra/ANP/AFP via Getty Images
Several European countries are turning to high-tech floating vessels in a bid to reduce their reliance on Russian energy.
Moscow has fueled an energy crisis in Europe by cutting off key pipeline gas supplies, but the specialist ships will enable countries like Germany to import seaborne natural gas for the first time.
At least 25 floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) are headed to Europe, according to S&P Global.
Moored offshore, the FSRUs store and then reheat liquefied natural gas before pumping it onshore. That allows countries on the continent to import energy by sea from major exporters like the US, Qatar, and Australia.
Here are some photos showing the FSRUs and floating terminals Europe hopes will help meet its winter energy needs and replace the missing Russian gas:
Highly reliant on Russian gas imports, Germany has led the charge in Europe for FSRUs by chartering five vessels. The country found itself particularly exposed to Moscow slashing supply via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany before completely halting all flows indefinitely.
Highly reliant on Russian gas imports, Germany has led the charge in Europe for FSRUs by chartering five vessels. The country found itself particularly exposed to Moscow slashing supply via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany before completely halting all flows indefinitely.
As well as chartering ships, European countries are spending to build the necessary infrastructure for FSRUs to dock in ports.
The units store super-chilled liquefied natural gas, which is typically transported at a temperature of around -250 F, before using seawater to reheat it so that it can be pumped onshore in its original gaseous form.
As well as chartering ships, European countries are spending to build the necessary infrastructure for FSRUs to dock in ports.
The units store super-chilled liquefied natural gas, which is typically transported at a temperature of around -250 F, before using seawater to reheat it so that it can be pumped onshore in its original gaseous form.
"All the steps we take to free ourselves as quickly as possible from the clutches of Russian imports are more necessary than ever," economy minister Robert Habeck said about the deployment of the five vessels.
All the steps we take to free ourselves as quickly as possible from the clutches of Russian imports are more necessary than ever, economy minister Robert Habeck said about the deployment of the five vessels.
On Friday, the Netherlands took its first delivery of liquefied natural gas at a new terminal located in Eemshaven on the country's northern coast.
On Friday, the Netherlands took its first delivery of liquefied natural gas at a new terminal located in Eemshaven on the country's northern coast.
The Netherlands hopes that the two FSRUs that are docked at Eemshaven will help it completely phase out its dependence on energy from Russia as quickly as possible.
The Netherlands hopes that the two FSRUs that are docked at Eemshaven will help it completely phase out its dependence on energy from Russia as quickly as possible.
Like Germany, Greece has chartered five vessels. It aims to set itself up as a supplier of energy for the southeast of Europe. Greek company Gastrade plans to open an FSRU at Alexandroupolis, which will supply gas from the northeast of the country.
Like Germany, Greece has chartered five vessels. It aims to set itself up as a supplier of energy for the southeast of Europe. Greek company Gastrade plans to open an FSRU at Alexandroupolis, which will supply gas from the northeast of the country.
The FSRU will store and reheat liquefied natural gas, then supply the fuel to Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, and eventually Ukraine via these pipelines.
Going into next year, the units should ease bottlenecks and help iron out the dislocations between hubs in Europe, according to Platts Analytics.
The FSRU will store and reheat liquefied natural gas, then supply the fuel to Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, and eventually Ukraine via these pipelines.
Going into next year, the units should ease bottlenecks and help iron out the dislocations between hubs in Europe, according to Platts Analytics.
Turkey's publicly owned Ertugrul Gazi FSRU has been working at full capacity since July 2021.
Turkey's publicly owned Ertugrul Gazi FSRU has been working at full capacity since July 2021.
The Ertugrul Gazi FSRU pumped around 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas onshore to the country in its first year, according to Turkey's energy ministry.
The country has another FSRU project underway that it plans to launch later in 2022.
The Ertugrul Gazi FSRU pumped around 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas onshore to the country in its first year, according to Turkey's energy ministry.
The country has another FSRU project underway that it plans to launch later in 2022.
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