LNG terminal on Krk set for major capacity increase next year

Omisalj, Krk (Photo: Wakowlk/CC BY-SA 3.0)

ZAGREB, 26 July 2026 (Hina) – Croatia’s LNG terminal on the island of Krk is not expected to face supply problems this year, while a major capacity increase is planned for next year, the terminal’s director Ivan Fugaš said on Saturday.

Speaking to Croatian public broadcaster HRT, Fugaš said the global LNG market had come under pressure since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East at the end of February and beginning of March.

Around 20% of global LNG consumption is no longer able to reach international markets, he said, contributing to higher natural gas prices.

Europe has been less affected by the disruption to supplies from Qatar because Qatar had previously accounted for only around 10% to 12% of Europe’s LNG imports, Fugaš said.

As a result, the impact on Croatia’s LNG terminal in Omišalj had so far been limited.

He said the terminal was currently operating according to its annual schedule, with all vessels announced to arrive having reached the facility and unloaded their cargo.

Expansion planned

Fugaš also outlined plans to increase the terminal’s capacity. The expansion is being carried out alongside work by Croatian gas transmission operator Plinacro, which is required to build around 250 kilometres of new gas pipelines.

Once the pipeline infrastructure is completed, the project is expected to enable the delivery of an additional around one billion cubic metres of natural gas to the market.

The additional capacity is expected to become operational in the second quarter of next year, Fugaš said.

The expansion would strengthen Croatia’s role in the regional gas market and further increase the importance of the Krk terminal as Europe continues to adjust its energy supply routes amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.