The Coral-Energice: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On September 18, 2022, Greenpeace activists conducted a significant demonstration at the Tornio regasification terminal, aimed at drawing attention to the controversial shipments associated with Russia’s Vysotsk LNG project. This endeavor is a collaboration between Novatek, the largest independent gas producer in Russia, and Gazprombank, the nation's foremost financial institution. Protesters took bold action by climbing the loading arms and utilizing paddles in a bid to obstruct the mooring of the LNG carrier 'Coral Energice'. Their actions succeeded in delaying the unloading of a cargo that Finnish gas importer Gasum had ordered for a full 24 hours. In a powerful statement, Greenpeace Norden expressed their outrage, emphasizing, "It is incomprehensible that the government led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin still allows the importation of fossil fuels that finance the war machine, even though Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has been going on for more than half a year. Finland must immediately ban the import of Russian fossil fuels and direct Gasum to stop importing gas from Russia." Gasum has been importing an average of two cargoes monthly from the Vysotsk LNG project. A representative from Gasum clarified that these LNG shipments are part of a long-term agreement with Gazprom Export, which includes a take-or-pay clause mandating a minimum quantity of LNG procurement from Russia each year. Adding to the situation, another LNG vessel, the 'Coral Energy' (IMO: 9617698), arrived in Hamina on September 19 from Vysotsk to load LNG into the recently commissioned Hamina LNG facility. The operations will soon commence to cool the facility's storage tank to a frigid minus-162 degrees Celsius, preparing it to hold the gas. This initial shipment is expected to fill roughly half of the Hamina facility's 30,000 cubic meter storage capacity, as stated by Gasum. While further LNG deliveries to the terminal are not immediately planned from the spot market, the new Hamina terminal will connect directly to Finland's pipeline network, which aims to offset the declining supplies of Russian pipeline gas. Greenpeace is also vigilant regarding the possibility of acquiring larger Russian LNG shipments through the spot market to support a forthcoming regasification project developed in cooperation with Estonia. This initiative involves constructing two receiving terminals and storage facilities in Paldiski, Estonia, and Inkoo, Finland. Both locations will rely on the 'Exemplar FSRU', a floating storage and regasification unit, which will distribute LNG based on demand. In May, Finland’s state-owned gas pipeline operator Gasgrid entered into a decade-long arrangement with Excelerate Energy to charter the 'Exemplar FSRU', boasting a storage capacity of 150,900 cubic meters. The vessel, which sailed from Argentina in August, is currently located off the coast of northwest Africa. For more in-depth information and visuals of the protest, visit: https://maritime-executive.com/article/photos-greenpeace-campaigners-block-russian-lng-delivery-in-finland and https://www.upstreamonline.com/lng/greenpeace-protest-delays-finland-s-russian-lng-imports/2-1-1302758.

In a significant maritime milestone, Finland proudly unveiled the Coral EngergICE, the world's first LNG carrier to achieve the prestigious Ice Class 1A Super notation. The naming ceremony took place at the Port of Turku this past week, marking an exciting chapter in the ice-capable shipping sector. Delivered by Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany, the 18,000 cubic meter LNG carrier is ingeniously designed for operations within the challenging Baltic Sea environment. Its robust hull is engineered to triumph over icy waters, effectively breaking through one-meter thick first-year ice. Operationally, the Coral EngergICE will be managed by Skangas, ensuring a reliable supply of liquefied natural gas to the Skangas LNG terminal in Pori and the collaborative Manga LNG terminal in Tornio, Finland. This vessel symbolizes a leap forward in sustainable shipping capabilities in icy waters.