France: Dunkirk LNG to get first cargo in July

France’s fourth LNG import terminal located in the port of Dunkirk expects to receive its first cargo of chilled gas in the first half of July.

“Arrival window of first LNG vessel required for tests is confirmed. This window is scheduled between 04th and 08th July,” Dunkirk LNG (Dunkerque LNG) said.

According to Dunkirk LNG, the second commissioning cargo will follow about one month after the first unloading.

This marks another delay as the EDF-operated terminal was expected to receive the first commissioning cargo in June.

The start-up of the Dunkirk LNG terminal comes at times when France is struggling with violent strikes aimed at forcing President Francois Hollande’s government to withdraw proposed new labor market rules.

Operations at France’s three LNG terminals, that were shut due to the strike since May 24, resumed on Friday but the strike by workers protesting due to proposed labor reforms will continue until May 15, Elengy, the terminal operator said last week.

The Dunkirk LNG terminal will have an annual regasification capacity of 13 billion cbm of gas, enough to cover about 20% of France and Belgium’s annual gas consumption.

EDF booked 8 bcm of the LNG terminal’s capacity, while Total reserved 2 bcm of gas. The remaining gas quantities will be sold on the market after the LNG terminal has been commissioned.

EDF owns a 65% stake in Dunkerque LNG. Fluxys of Belgium has a 25% share in the terminal, and Total owns the remaining 10 percent.

LNG World News Staff