Croatia expects to increase annual gas-import capacity at the Krk LNG terminal by another 1 billion cubic metres during the second quarter of 2027. The upgrade is aimed at strengthening Croatia’s position in the Central European gas corridor and supporting supply routes for Central and Southeast Europe. The terminal’s commercial and technical parameters are being adjusted alongside network changes.
Pipeline works and expected commercial capacity increase
LNG Hrvatska has completed its portion of the expansion investment. Transmission system operator Plinacro is continuing work on approximately 250 kilometres of pipelines designed to move higher volumes into Croatia’s gas networks and regional systems. After the remaining pipeline sections are completed, tested and permitted, the terminal’s commercial capacity is expected to rise from 3.5 billion cubic metres to between 4.3 billion and 4.5 billion cubic metres per year.
The facility can technically process around 6.1 billion cubic metres annually. The operator does not plan to allocate the full technical volume commercially, keeping some capacity available as an operational buffer. This buffer is intended for adverse weather, equipment problems, emergency supply requirements and other disruptions.
Operational buffer and contracted capacity timeline
The reserve supports flexibility because Krk has moved from a national import facility to critical regional infrastructure. Keeping the terminal below its technical maximum can limit headline throughput, while preserving the ability to manage delays or emergency cargoes without affecting contracted deliveries. Director Ivan Fugaš said scheduled shipments have continued to arrive and unload normally despite renewed uncertainty in global LNG markets linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Before the latest disruption, Europe was receiving only around 10–12% of its LNG imports from Qatar, reducing direct exposure relative to more LNG-dependent Asian markets. The indirect effect can still be relevant as competition for flexible cargoes may raise European gas prices even when physical deliveries continue.
Capacity reservations and role in non-Russian supply routes
The terminal’s existing commercial capacity has been fully reserved until 1 October 2037. Between 2037 and 2040, around 1.5 billion cubic metres of annual capacity remains available, though the operator does not expect those volumes to be contracted immediately. Long-term reservations provide visibility over utilisation and support the economics of the infrastructure expansion.
Reservations also reflect regional demand for non-Russian supply routes passing through Croatia toward Hungary, Slovenia and other Central European markets. Approximately 70% of gas entering Croatia’s transmission system currently arrives through Krk, linking the terminal to replenishment of underground storage facilities and meeting European inventory requirements.
Downstream network constraints for additional gas flows
The expansion value depends on more than regasification capacity because transport capability across Croatia determines how much additional gas can reach neighbouring systems. Plinacro’s pipeline works are therefore described as important alongside the terminal upgrade itself. A larger Krk corridor could strengthen competition between LNG, pipeline gas and stored supply across the region.
The preserved unused technical capacity reduces maximum commercial return but increases system resilience by maintaining spare availability when normal market arrangements fail. This spare capacity is positioned as relevant for critical infrastructure during disruptions affecting weather, equipment or emergency supply needs.
