At first the oil terminal that belongs to the world’s largest terminal group Vopak plans to build a smaller LNG terminal with a capacity of between 20,000 and 30,000 cbm.

Until now the LNG terminal project has been driven by Alexela Energia that belongs to Heiti Hääl.

“The main objective is to ensure a security reserve of natural gas and fulfilling this objective is the task of the LNG terminal – the sooner the better. Considering the current state of the planning process, an LNG terminal of such capacity at Muuga could go into operation at the end of 2017,” CEO Arnout Lugtmeijer said.

According to Lugtmeijer, Vopak’s LNG terminal would cost less than EUR 50 million or several times less than Alexela’s planned LNG terminal.

The CEO added that Muuga has a suitable quay and the gas pipeline to Tallinn is only 1.5 km away. The Paldiski LNG terminal would require building 50 kilometres of pipeline as well,” he adds.

“Given the proximity of the gas network, it certainly pays to weigh also directing Balticconnector to Muuga,” he added.

According to the business plan of Vopak E.O.S., its LNG terminal would be supplying LNG to vessels operating on the Baltic Sea and also store the security gas reserve.

Vopak E.O.S. operates four terminals with a total storage capacity of 1,026,000 cubic meters. The terminals, which are connected with the Estonian and Russian railway infrastructure, are located in Estonia’s main merchant port of Muuga east of Tallinn that is owned by the state-run Port of Tallinn. All the company’s rail transport and logistics operations are managed by its subsidiary E.R.S.

Vopak E.O.S. is a joint venture of Royal Vopak and Global Ports Investments. The Royal Vopak group includes the independent LNG regasification terminal operator Vopak LNG.