Biggest LNG terminal in Nordics opens

The terminal is the result of multiple companies working together for several years through Manga LNG, a joint venture consisting of steel companies Outokumpu and SSAB, EPV Energy and the energy company Gasum. Wärtsilä was selected as the main contractor.

“The deployment of the new LNG terminal significantly supports the emission goals of Finland, as well as the entire Nordics,” said Kimmo Rahkamo, vice president, natural gas and LNG at Gasum.

He added: “With the use of LNG, we reduce the local pollutant emissions of maritime and heavy-duty traffic, while keeping the industry of Northern Finland competitive by offering energy that has low emissions and is affordable to the needs of different operators.”

In demand

The deployment of Tornio’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal will ensure shipments to Northern Finland and Sweden.

Mika Kolehmainen, CEO of Manga LNG Oy, pointed out that prior to the opening of the Tornio terminal, the only LNG terminal in Finland was in Pori, around 600km to the south.

He said: “The Tornio terminal is equipped with bunkering stations for LNG vessels, regasification equipment for liquefied natural gas, as well as a storage unit that is 50,000 m3 in volume.”

Mr Rahkamo believes that the new terminal will attract more operators to utilise LNG.

“The transition to a carbon neutral future does not happen overnight which is why each step is important. Building distribution infrastructure will make it easier for new operators to start using LNG. In the future, the same gas infrastructure can be used to shift to the use of liquefied biogas (LBG), which will further reduce emissions,” he said.