The Tornio Manga liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in Northern Finland achieved a significant milestone on 27 November with the successful unloading of the first shipment of LNG.
The shipment, comprising 15,000 m3 of LNG, arrived on board the LNG carrier Coral Energy, a time-chartered LNG carrier operated by Skangas. The cooldown process of the terminal and the LNG unloading process were completed on schedule over a period of 8 days. The unloading marks the beginning of the commissioning phase of the project.
LNG for Ships and Industries
The LNG from the terminal will be used to provide clean burning energy for local and regional industries in Northern Finland, Sweden and Norway, and will provide bunkering for LNG fuelled ships visiting the northern Baltic Sea waters. The terminal will play a notable role in promoting the economic growth of the region, while also reducing the carbon footprint of the region's industrial operations.
The commercial operation of the terminal will begin in summer 2018.
Coral Energy
The Coral Energy, which delivered this first shipment, is a medium-size LNG carrier vessel, powered by one Wärtsilä 50DF and two Wärtsilä 20DF eco-friendly dual-fuel engines. The tanker operates on natural gas fuel, making it one of the most environmentally friendly vessels on the seas. The vessel's emissions are below the prospective applicable limits required for Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The Coral Energy has an ice-class 1A class notification, thus, enabling LNG transportation to the Nordic region also in winter conditions. The vessel is owned by Anthony Veder and sails for Skangas.
LNG Powered Vessels
It is expected that more and more vessels operating in this part of the Baltic Sea will be powered by LNG fuel in order to comply with the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) regulations. The world's first LNG icebreaker, the Polaris, which is also driven by dual-fuel engines, will already be bunkered from the Tornio Manga terminal during this winter season.
The next shipment of LNG is scheduled for delivery to the Tornio Manga terminal at the beginning of 2018. When in full operation, the terminal will receive deliveries of LNG at two-week intervals.
Manga LNG
The Manga LNG natural gas import terminal in Röyttä, Tornio, is a joint venture of the industrial companies Outokumpu and SSAB Europe, the energy company EPV Energy and the LNG company Skangas. The purpose of the terminal is to diversify the gas and fuel markets of the Northern region by providing Northern industry, energy production and maritime transport with a more environmentally friendly and inexpensive alternative. The terminal was built under a turnkey contract by Wärtsilä.
The video below shows the Coral Energy delivering the first shipment of LNG.
Picture: The first shipment, comprising 15,000 m3 of LNG, was delivered onboard the LNG carrier Coral Energy.
