Investment in Northern France : the largest French methane tanker terminal in Dunkirk

NFX - Nord France eXperts is proud to relay the announcement by the French electrical company EDF concerning its methane tanker terminal in Dunkirk : a considerable investment for the North Pas de Calais region which is testimony to the vitality of this geographic pole which opens to Europe.

The North of France comforts its position as a region rich in economic development possibilities for investors. Indeed, EDG announced its decision to invest in the methane tanker terminal in Dunkirk along with Fluxys G and Total. Dunkirk will thus be equipped with the largest French methane tanker terminal which will permit the city to position itself in the world race for supplying natural liquid gas.

Of the 53 methane tanker terminals currently in operation in the world, 5 are under consideration or under construction in France. In 2005, EDF thought of possible sites for the placement of the largest methane tanker terminal in France, and Dunkirk appeared as the best choice being one of the first energy poles in France. Three reasons explain this decision : the quality of the port environment and its capacity to welcome the largest tankers ; the site’s geographical position ; and finally, the region’s competencies in the development and the operation of large industrial installations.

The increase in the European demand for gas and the reduction in the North Sea production will result in an increase in imports. It seems probable that these will be from sources that are further away than today’s. This progressive distance between the production areas and the consumption areas is translated by the rapid development of worldwide gas trade. The share of LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) in international gas commerce will reach approximately 38% in 2020 (compared to 22% today). The transportation of LNG by methane tanker appears a pertinent means of routing which meets the world gas growth and constitutes a major asset for the balance of future world and European markets.
The investment is at a level of 700 million Euros for EDF and 50 to 70 million Euros for the Port of Dunkirk. The Dunkirk methane terminal tanker project whose implementation is planned for end 2015, will have an annual capacity of 6 to 13 Gm3. In a second phase, this capacity could be expanded to 12, even 16 Gm3 which is 10% of current French consumption. During the construction of the methane tanker terminal from 2012 to 2015, some 1850 persons will be mobilized, and from 2016 onwards, between 200 and 250 direct and indirect jobs will be created.

Nord France eXperts, the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional economic development agency, accompanies international companies in their French development projects in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, regardless of their sector of activity, logistics, automotive, agri-food, direct marketing, … Nord France eXperts relies on a team of experts and a vast partner network to offer investors a free customized service based on confidentiality, from the exploratory project phase through completion and after sales service.

For more information on the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional investment development agency, see www.investinnorthernfrance.com

The investment promotion agency for Northern France, nfx, offers international companies its network of experts and business partners for business creation, expansion or relocation in the north of France. Nfx offers personalized and confidential services paired with business advice and consulting to companies across varied business sectors : finance and insurance, customer service, automotive industries, logistics and distribution, health, biotech, rail, green economy, …

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This release was published on openPR.