Croatia’s Krk LNG terminal has received its first cargo originating from Norway’s Hammerfest LNG facility. The delivery adds to the range of gas supply entering the Adriatic. It also reinforces the terminal’s role for regional gas flows beyond Croatia.
The Krk facility has become an increasingly important gateway for gas deliveries into Croatia and neighbouring Central and Southeast European markets. Before regasified LNG enters the Croatian transmission network, the terminal can receive cargoes from multiple global supply sources. This supports diversification of where incoming LNG is sourced.
Shift in Europe’s gas trade routes after reduced Russian pipeline supplies
The arrival of Norwegian LNG coincides with a period in which European gas trade has changed following a sharp reduction in Russian pipeline supplies. With fewer Russian pipeline deliveries, regional buyers have adjusted how they secure gas. This includes using LNG infrastructure alongside other cross-border options.
Rather than relying on a limited set of long-term pipeline routes, buyers are increasingly combining LNG terminals, storage facilities and interconnectors. In this setup, Krk’s function extends beyond meeting Croatian demand alone. It becomes part of a broader network used to route gas across the region.
Potential for competing northbound corridors via Hungary and Southeast Europe
Additional pipeline capacity toward Hungary and neighbouring markets could enable the terminal to compete more directly with LNG entering Southeast Europe through Greece and Turkey. The development of these links is gradually creating several competing northbound gas corridors across the region. This affects how LNG volumes can be directed after regasification.
For traders, the market outcome depends on multiple operational and commercial factors. These include cargo origin, terminal availability, transmission tariffs and regional hub spreads that influence where LNG is delivered. The mix of these variables shapes delivery patterns into regional systems.
