Japanese-Turkish JV's First FSRU Readies for Senegal Journey

Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines and Turkey's Karpowership announced on March 16 that their first jointly-owned floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) had been delivered at the Sembcorp Marine shipyard in Singapore.

The Karmol LNGT Powership Africa FSRU, owned by Mitsui and Karpowership's joint venture Karmol, has begun sea trials ahead of its journey to Senegal. There it will supply LNG to a 235-MW powership operated by Karpowership, which will switch to running on gas before the end of June.

Senegal is transitioning from coal and oil-fired power plants to gas-based generation over the coming years, emboldened by several recent gas discoveries offshore. The government sees LNG imports as a temporary solution before offshore production starts up. The BP-led Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project off Senegal and Mauritania is expected to see first gas in 2023. The project will supply gas to the countries' domestic markets in addition to exporting LNG.

Another Karmol-owned FSRU is already under construction and will be deployed in Mozambique.

"This is a big moment for West Africa and the wider continent," Karmol board member Gokhan Kocak said, commenting on the first FSRU's launch. "We have a bold ambition to offer LNG to power across the world and especially within Africa. Usage of FSRUs mean we can unlock the benefits of clean and affordable electricity for millions of people, even where countries have no domestic gas production or infrastructure."