Eemshaven LNG terminal handled 72 vessels for Czechia, covering annual demand

The terminal in the Dutch port of Eemshaven, which has been operating since September 2022, handled a total of 72 vessels carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) destined for Czechia from the start of its operations through the end of last year. The vessels delivered 6.44 billion cubic metres of gas, equivalent to the country's annual gas consumption. Czech energy company ČEZ told ČTK. According to the company, the deliveries contained no gas from Russia, with vessels from the US accounting for the majority.

Eemshaven was the first LNG terminal launched in Europe since the start of the war in Ukraine, with the first vessel arriving in September 2022. The facility can process eight billion cubic metres of gas annually, of which up to three billion cubic metres can be directed to the Czech Republic. In addition to ČEZ, other major energy companies, Anglo-Dutch Shell and France's Engie, have reserved capacity at the terminal.

Last year, 28 vessels destined for Czechia delivered 2.48 billion cubic metres of gas, equivalent to more than one-third of the country's annual gas consumption.

"The Dutch terminal was one of those that made a significant contribution to overcoming the energy crisis, and through it ČEZ has already secured an amount equivalent to the Czech Republic's entire annual gas consumption. LNG terminals and other alternative gas sources were able to quickly ensure sufficient supplies of this commodity in recent years, which was also positively reflected in rapidly falling retail prices for Czech customers," said Daniel Beneš, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of ČEZ.

Last year, ČEZ also delivered a vessel to the terminal for the first time while arranging its entire voyage itself. Until then, the company had ordered gas and only taken over the cargo at the terminal. Arranging the voyage involved the entire navigation and logistics chain, including negotiations with the liquefaction terminal in the United States, chartering the vessel, loading in the US, the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and the vessel's return journey.

ČEZ has leased capacity at Eemshaven until 2027. From the same year, it has also secured approximately two billion cubic metres of gas annually in recent years, representing more than one-quarter of current domestic consumption, at the onshore terminal currently under construction in Stade, Germany, near Hamburg. The company signed a 15-year contract with the local operator, with an option to extend it. ČEZ has also stated that it will pursue further opportunities to secure capacity at other LNG terminals.