US firm’s new FSRU getting ready for its gig in Iraq with sea trials out of the way

January 29, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Excelerate Energy, a U.S.-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) company in Texas, has reached a new construction milestone for a newbuild floating storage regasification unit (FSRU), which has wrapped up sea trials ahead of its deployment at a fully integrated LNG import terminal in Iraq.

Hull 3407 completes sea trials; Source: Excelerate Energy

Excelerate Energy’s newbuild FSRU, Hull 3407, was launched at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in South Korea in July 2025, following the keel-laying ceremony, when the vessel’s hull started to be assembled.

The U.S. player has confirmed Hull 3407’s return from sea trials after completing major performance and safety tests, seen as an important step as the firm prepares the vessel for deployment to its integrated LNG import terminal in Iraq.

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According to Excelerate, purpose‑built FSRUs like Hull 3407 help countries add reliable gas supply quickly and responsibly. The next item on the firm’s agenda are gas trials in late February 2026, as it continues progressing the FSRU toward delivery.

With a storage capacity of 170,000 cubic meters and a regasification capacity of up to 1 billion standard cubic feet per day (1,000 MMscf/d), this unit features boil-off gas management, ensuring operational efficiency and reliability.

The Hull 3407 is perceived to underscore a broader reality that the world needs more flexible LNG regas infrastructure to strengthen energy security and meet growing demand, based on the U.S. player’s assessment.