Fos Cavaou
LNG regasification terminal near Fos-sur-Mer in southern France.
Last refreshed: 29 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Fos Cavaou
recorded lowest utilisation since 2023 in Q1 2026
European Energy Markets: Four LNG terminals at lowest utilisation since 2023- Who operates Fos Cavaou LNG terminal?
- Fos Cavaou is owned by FOSMAX LNG, a wholly-owned Elengy subsidiary. Elengy, part of TotalEnergies, operates all three of France's LNG import terminals.Source: Elengy official site
- What is the capacity of Fos Cavaou LNG terminal?
- Following debottlenecking in May 2023, Fos Cavaou has a send-out capacity of 8 mtpa. Long-term capacity is fully booked through 2040.Source: LNG Prime / GIIGNL
- Why is Fos Cavaou important for French energy security?
- Fos Cavaou is one of three French LNG terminals and provides Mediterranean-coast access for Middle Eastern, African, and US LNG cargoes. Its fully-contracted status gives France reliable regasification capacity through 2040.Source: Elengy / S&P Global
- Is Fos Cavaou LNG terminal fully booked?
- Yes. Elengy confirmed that Fos Cavaou's long-term capacity is fully contracted through 2040. A 30 TWh per year block was sold for the 2025-2040 period.Source: GIIGNL / S&P Global
Background
Fos Cavaou is an LNG import terminal at Fos-sur-Mer on the French Mediterranean coast, located within the Port of Marseille-Fos. The terminal is owned by FOSMAX LNG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elengy, and has been operational since April 2010. A technical debottlenecking programme in May 2023 increased its send-out capacity to 8 mtpa, and the terminal's long-term regasification capacity is fully booked through 2040, with a 30 TWh per year tranche sold for the 2025-2040 period. Fos Cavaou can receive LNG carriers from 5,000 to 270,000 m³, covering the full range of modern LNG vessel sizes.
Elengy operates Fos Cavaou alongside two other French LNG terminals: Fos Tonkin (also Mediterranean) and Montoir-de-Bretagne on The Atlantic. Together, they account for all three of France's primary LNG import points. Fos Cavaou's southern position makes it the natural landing point for cargoes from the Middle East, West Africa, and the United States via the Suez Canal route, and it features truck-loading bays expanded in recent years for small-scale LNG distribution.
Fos Cavaou recorded low utilisation in Q1 2026 alongside EemsEnergy Terminal, Panigaglia, and Sines, reflecting reduced European LNG spot demand despite its long-term booking framework. The fully-contracted status shields Elengy from revenue risk but does not guarantee physical throughput if capacity holders defer send-out. The terminal's Mediterranean location positions it well for Algerian and Middle Eastern LNG if Russian supply is phased out by 2027.
