EMEA News
Development of LNG Bunkering Operations at Patras "High Priority"
Nikos Kontoes, President & Managing Director of Patras Port Authority, has said that the establishment of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) unit for bunkering operations at the port is of "high priority."
The comments came as part of an announcement by Poseidon Med II Tuesday that it held a technical workshop at Patras Port on June 28 and 29 to discuss LNG bunkering operations, technology, infrastructure, safety provisions, and regulatory framework.
As Ship & Bunker previously reported, the €53.3 million ($59.4 million) Poseidon Med II is the next phase of the European Union (EU) led LNG bunkering infrastructure development project.
"The arrival of natural gas in Western Greece is a continuing demand expressed by political, scientific and industrial stakeholders of the area, as well as critical factor for boosting the economy. It offers societal and financial benefits, contributing to the protection of the environment of our urban area," said Kontoes.
The workshop, which was attended by 28 participants, is said to have started with on-site survey of Patras Port area, which examined possible LNG bunkering installation scenarios and potential sites within the port.
Poseidon Med II says that, during the workshop, estimates for LNG fuel requirements of two types of Ro-Pax vessels currently operating on the Bari and Ancona routes were reviewed, issues on LNG supply chain were examined, and possible site positions for the small-scale LNG installations as proposed by Stavros Antypas, Director of Holding & Development Department representing Patras Port, were also discussed.
Finally, a list of areas of needed action and assessment is said to have been developed at the workshop, which will be further detailed by the project partners.
"The development of LNG bunkering facilities at the Port of Patras, is considered as a key milestone towards the establishment of LNG as an alternative fuel for marine transport, in the Eastern Mediterranean and especially Greece," George Polychroniou, Project Manager of Poseidon Med II.
In May, Poseidon Med II held a technical workshop at Greece's Igoumenitsa Port, bringing together local stakeholders to focus on LNG bunkering operations, technology, infrastructure, safety provisions, and regulatory framework, and specifically to undertake effective Hazard Identification Study and Risk Assessment for viable types of bunkering operations at the port.
