Terminal and harbour info

Gasgrid Finland Oy implemented the LNG floating terminal project to secure the supply of gas to industry, energy production and households as well as to safeguard Finland’s security of supply from winter 2023 onwards. The lease of the terminal vessel enabled Finland to break out of its dependence on Russian pipeline gas.  

The terminal enables gas to be received by sea and distributed to the surrounding area, inland, and, through reloading, also to terminals outside Finland. The terminal supports the security of supply and flexibility of the energy system in Finland and the Baltic Sea region.  

The importance of the terminal was particularly highlighted in 2023‒2024, when the Balticconnector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was damaged. Thanks to the LNG terminal, Finland’s gas supply remained stable throughout the winter season.  

The terminal provides flexibility to Finland’s energy system by supporting security of supply alongside weather-dependent renewable energy, for example during windless and cold winters. Importing Russian gas to the terminal is forbidden. 

FSRU Exemplar has a possibility of receiving the LNG from other small and big-scale vessels, storing it in its tanks, regasifying and sending to gas network. As of December 2023, the FSRU Exemplar has been capable of reloading LNG to smaller vessels. FSRU can receive cargo from LNG Carriers via a ship-to-ship transfer done through cryogenic hoses. Regasification is done through a closed loop system where LNG is transformed from liquid to gas phase. Horizontal shell and tube vaporizer system is designed in a way to exchange the heat between steam created with the help of gas boilers, and cold LNG, leading to a nominal output of 558 000 Nm3/h of natural gas.  

After regasification, natural gas is sent via reloading arms to the connecting pipeline and further into the national gas system. Connecting pipeline is 2200 m long, has a nominal diameter of 500 mm and design pressure of 80 barg.   

LNG Floating Terminal Exemplar technical data terminal ship Exemplar: 

• Name LNGRV Exemplar, IMO number 9444649, flag Belgium  
• Length 291 m, width 43.40 m  
• Deadweight, 83,125 Tonnes  
• Maximum capacity 151 072 m3, storage capacity (filled to 98.5%) 148 806.030 m3  
• Maximum LNG loading capacity 4 500 m3/h  
• Regasification capacity 140 GWh/day and up to more than 40 TWh per year.  

Main facilities:  

• FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) Exemplar  
• Quay with auxiliary facilities  
• Connecting pipeline  

Port

• Port 
• Floating LNG Terminal Finland Oy is located in the port of Inkoo, Finland.  
• Time zone: 
• GMT+3 hours.  
• Quay:  
• No. 2, length 240 m, safe clearance depth -14.2 m (MW 2022). 
• The maximum size of the vessel: 
• Length overall 300.0 metres 
• Breadth 50.0 metres 
• Draught 12.0 metres 
• Fairway: 
• The swept depth of the fairway varies between 14.2 m to 15.0m, considering the vessel’s speed. There is a reduced water depth in the turning area, where the swept depth is 13.2m (N2000). The diameter of the turning area is 450 m. 
• Port Authority: 
• Port Authority is responsible for traffic and regulations in the port area as well as mooring services. Inkoo Shipping Oy Ab +358 (0)207 631 502 agency@inkooshipping.fi, www.inkooshipping.fi
• Pilot Services: 
• Pilot services are provided by Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd. +358(0) 400 907 977 pilotorder.south@finnpilot.fi, https://finnpilot.fi/en/

In order to access the Terminal, each LNGC vessel has to obtain an official approval given by the Terminal Operator. Terminal User is obliged to send the Request for LNG Carrier Approval to the Terminal Operator, which is followed by the compatibility and vetting procedure.   

Following the vessel approval, Terminal Acceptance Certificate is issued by the Terminal Operator. Vessel can then be added to the list of registered at the Terminal and added to the List of the approved LNGC vessels. 

More information on the LNGC vessel approval process is described in the Terminal Operations Manual, available upon request from:  operations.fltf@gasgrid.fi

• The floating LNG-terminal at Inkoo, FSRU Exemplar, has been operational since 2023. 
• The terminal supports the security of supply and reliability of the energy system in Finland and the Baltic Sea region. 
• Liquefied natural gas is received through smaller and larger scale ships to the terminal and is stored or regasified and delivered to the gas network. In addition, LNG can be reloaded from the terminal vessel to smaller ships for delivery to terminals outside the Finnish gas network. 
• The regasification capacity of the Inkoo LNG terminal is 140 GWh per day and over 40 TWh per year. 
• The import of Russian gas to the terminal is prohibited. 
• The terminal is part of the Gasgrid Finland Oy, and its operations are managed by Gasgrid’s subsidiary, Floating LNG Terminal Finland Oy.