LNG

Fluxys of Belgium and its subsidiary Fluxys LNG said they were seeking market interest for importing low-carbon gases to the LNG terminal at the Port of Zeebrugge.

Fluxys of Belgium, the gas grid and LNG terminal owner, and investment firm EIG Global Energy Partners have acquired the Quintero LNG import terminal in the South American nation of Chile.

Fluxys of Belgium plans to install four additional LNG truck-loading bays at the Zeebrugge import terminal as LNG demand continues to grow as a fuel replacement for diesel in northwest Europe and all around the European Union.

Zeebrugge has been in operation since 1987 and has five tanks with 566,000 cubic metres capacity of storage and a nominal 6.6 million tonnes per annum of unloading. 

“With demand for LNG as a low-emission fuel soaring, the existing truck-loading bays at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal are gradually being used at their maximum capacity,” said Fluxys.

“While the number of truck-loadings in 2017 was still around 1,450, the utilization rate for this year is estimated to rise towards 6,000 loadings, approaching the maximum capacity of 8,000,” added the company.

The Fluxys operations at Zeebrugge have also grown in importance since the start of the long-term trans-shipment contract in 2019 for Yamal LNG in Russia. The Yamal cargoes pushed shipping traffic at the Zeebrugge terminal to new heights in 2020.

A total of 172 vessels docked at the terminal, smashing the previous record of 130 in 2019.

Fluxys said that March 2020 was the busiest ever month for ship traffic at the terminal, with a total of 30 vessels docking, more than double the previous record in May 2019.
At the same time, LNG truck traffic increased by over 20 percent.

“A market interest inquiry into truck-loading slots at the Zeebrugge terminal held in mid-2020 showed strong demand for booking substantially more slots in the future,” explained Fluxys.

“With the additional truck loading bays, the market will continue to be able to count on sufficient loading capacity to meet increasing demand. The four new truck-loading bays are scheduled to become available in 2024,” stated Fluxys.

LNG trailers mainly load LNG at the Zeebrugge terminal to supply fuelling stations servicing LNG-powered trucks.

The trailers loaded at the terminal also supply LNG-powered ships and remote industrial users without connection to the gas grid.

Another option is loading LNG containers for onward intermodal transport by train or ship.

“The key demand driver for substantially more truck-loading slots at Zeebrugge is the fast-growing fleet of LNG-powered trucks and the equally strong rise in fuelling stations to service them,” noted Fluxys.

On the shipping side, Fluxys in February 2021 reached a final investment decision to build 6 MTPA of additional regasification capacity at Zeebrugge.

A total of 4.7 MTPA will be completed by early 2024 and the remainder by 2026, adding to the 6 MTPA capacity available.