A first floating storage and regasification unit for Finland and its neighbouring countries has signalled its arrival, as the Baltic states move to secure alternatives to Russian pipeline gas supplies.

Excelerate Energy’s 150,900-cbm Exemplar (built 2010) is due to arrive in the southern Finnish port of Inkoo on 26 December to start operations for Gasgrid Finland.

The FSRU has spent time idling off southern Spain amid much speculation from industry watchers that it was waiting to take on a cargo in a ship-to-ship operation.