Qatari LNG exporter RasGas delivered the first LNG cargo at the second jetty of the Fluxys-run Zeebrugge LNG terminal in Belgium last week. Unloading the vessel formed part of the operational tests required to commission the new facility.

The new jetty has been designed for LNG carriers with a capacity from 2,000 m³ right the way up to Q-Flex-sized 217,000 m³ capacity tankers. Using both jetties will also allow two LNG carriers to be unloaded or loaded at the same time.

Following from testing of loading operations for small LNG carriers at the second jetty in recent weeks, the reception of RasGas’ Milaha Qatar enabled the unloading of large LNG vessels to be properly tested, said Fluxys.

“RasGas is proud to facilitate its start-up operations through the delivery of this cargo and we congratulate Fluxys Belgium on the successful unloading of the Milaha Qatar at the second jetty,” said Khalid Sultan R. Al-Kuwari, RasGas’ chief marketing & shipping officer. “Fluxys Belgium is particularly satisfied with the smooth delivery of the RasGas cargo” said Pascal De Buck, CEO of Fluxys Belgium.

The Zeebrugge terminal and its first jetty began receiving cargoes in 1987. RasGas cargoes have now been arriving at Zeebrugge for almost a decade.