Project Overview

The FSRU is a Floating Storage & Regasification Unit, located off the coast of Livorno, Italy. Owned & operated by the OLT Offshore LNG, the floating LNG regasification terminal has a maximum authorized regasification capacity of 5 billion standard cubic meters a year. It has a total storage capacity of 137,100 cubic meters. 

The vessel received permission to increase its annual regasification capacity from 3.75 billion to 5 billion standard cubic meters per year in May 2023. The vessel is connected to the Italian gas transmission network via a subsea pipeline. 

In March 2025, it received a 20-year authorization extension from the Italian Naval Registry (RINA), ensuring service until the end of 2044. It can handle LNG discharges at a maximum rate of 12,000 liquid cubic meters per hour via four 16-inch loading arms (two for LNG, one for vapor, and one hybrid).

FSRU Toscana Location

The FSRU Toscana is located off the shore of Livorno in the Tuscany region, Italy, approximately 12 nautical miles (22 km). It is in the water depths of nearly 112-120 meters in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is connected to Italy's national gas grid via a 36.5-kilometer pipeline managed by Snam, of which about 29.5 kilometers are subsea.

The offshore location enables safe LNG operations while minimizing environmental and coastal impact, serving as a primary gateway for LNG imports into Italy.

Project Background

The FSRU Toscana, also known as the Livorno LNG Terminal, is a remarkable advancement in the offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. As the world's first truly offshore FSRU, it is classified as a "floating object" rather than a traditional vessel, allowing it to operate independently at sea without near-shore dependencies.

A project developed by OLT Offshore LNG Toscana SpA, founded in 2002, with momentum gaining in the late 2000s. The FSRU Toscana is converted from an LNG Carrier, named Golar Frost. 

The development involves the conversion of an LNG Carrier into an FSRU. Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) spanned two years, setting the stage for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) phase that commenced in 2008. 

The conversion work began in June 2009 at Drydocks World in Dubai, with the unit arriving in Tuscany in July 2013. It received its first LNG cargo in October 2013 and commenced commercial operations in January 2014. 

It involves modifications such as the removal of the bow, the installation of an anchor turret for permanent mooring, the addition of regasification modules, vaporizers, and loading arms.

Project Timeline

Cost & Financing Details for FSRU Toscana

The total estimated cost for developing the FSRU Toscana project was between EUR 550 and EUR 600 million. The cost covers the entire process, including the acquisition and conversion of the existing LNG carrier (formerly the "Golar Frost") into a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), as well as all necessary engineering, construction, and installation works required for its offshore operation near Livorno, Italy.

Design & Engineering Details

FSRU Toscana Contract Details

FSRU Toscana Expansion

The FSRU Toscana will now remain in operation until 2044. It’s all possible because of the extensive life extension work completed during the maintenance period in 2024. A 20-year extension of the terminal's useful life was officially approved by the Italian Naval Registry (RINA), ensuring its operability and reliability until 2044. 

Among the critical maintenance performed during this life extension project was the replacement of the main bearing in the turret anchoring system. This is an essential operation for the vessel's safe mooring and rotation offshore. 

Conclusion

The FSRU Toscana project is a milestone in Italy’s energy sector, marking its successful expansions and a 20-year life extension, allowing operation till 2044. As part of this complex initiative, engineering work was carried out in multiple shipyards, improving the terminal's capacity to produce 5 billion cubic meters of LNG per year and enabling small-scale LNG services. 

The conversion of an LNG Carrier into an FSRU has resulted in the smooth importation of Liquefied Natural Gas, reducing the reliance on traditional pipeline infrastructure. In addition to enhancing supply resilience, this strategic offshore location near Livorno minimizes environmental and coastal impacts.

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