Five facts about the Tornio LNG terminal

The largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Nordic countries was opened in  2018 in Tornio, Finland. Replacing oil-based fuels with LNG is a concrete step towards cleaner air at sea. The number of LNG ship refuelings is growing massively – up 40% on the year before.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used increasingly as an industrial as well as a road and marine transport fuel. LNG is rapidly reforming the energy and transport sectors. LNG is a popular alternative to oil-based fuels, and its direct deliveries to customers are important particularly in the Nordic countries where the coverage of gas pipeline networks is limited.

The Tornio LNG terminal is the next important step towards the Nordic LNG network. The LNG terminal has already been receiving gas since November 2017.

Five facts about the Tornio LNG terminal:

Fact 1. The Tornio LNG terminal is the largest in the Nordic countries

The terminal in Röyttä, Tornio, Finland, will feature refueling, i.e. bunkering, stations for LNG-fueled vessels, LNG vaporizing facilities and a 50,000 cbm storage tank that will be kept constantly at the temperature of -163 °C.

Pipelines for gas distribution and a loading facility for LNG road tankers will be constructed at the Röyttä industrial area. LNG will be transported from Tornio by road tankers to users particularly in Northern Finland and Northern Sweden. The location of the terminal in Tornio enables distribution not only to Finland but also to Sweden and Norway.

Fact 2. The terminal is a major collaboration project

The terminal is owned by Manga LNG Ltd, but the terminal is a joint project between Outokumpu and SSAB steel mills, EPV Energy Ltd and Gasum. The terminal was constructed by Wärtsilä.

Fact 3. The Tornio LNG terminal is the second one in Finland, but a third one is already being planned

The Tornio terminal 50,000 cbm and 30,000 cbm LNG terminal completed in 2016 in Pori, Finland, will in practice together cover the entire off-grid area without access to the natural gas pipeline network in Finland when taking onward transport into account.

Fact 4. The terminal offers a solution to marine pollution

Although industry is the biggest user of LNG, LNG also offers a simple solution to ships as regards compliance with emission limits set for sensitive marine areas. Natural gas does not contain any sulfur and its combustion produces 85% less nitrogen oxides compared with traditional heavy fuel oil. Its fine particulate emissions are also minute.

LNG can help replace the use of other fuels in industry and energy production, which will reduce harmful environmental emissions considerably from current levels. For example, carbon dioxide emissions can be cut by around a quarter compared with oil-based fuels.

Fact 5. The LNG terminal is part of the global energy transition

The benefits of the evolving LNG distribution network also include its multiple uses:

• the same distribution chain can also be used for the transport and distribution of liquefied biogas (LBG) produced in accordance with circular economy principles.
• It is cost-efficient to transport gas to off-grid areas by road tanker, train or ship for use by customers such as mining companies, power plants or marine and heavy-duty road transport.
• Several LNG terminal and distribution projects are underway and being planned in the Nordic countries and around Finland. This indicates a transition taking place in the energy system where the role of gas as a substitute for old oil-based energy is increasing.

Updated 24.10.2021