EMEA News
Vopak Selected for Baltic LNG Terminal Feasibility Study
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal specialists Vopak LNG Holding BV (Vopak LNG), has been selected to conduct a feasibility study for an Estonian LNG terminal at Muuga Harbour, the main cargo harbour for Port of Tallinn.
State-owned Estonian power grid provider, Elering AS, and local port operator Tallinna Sadam AS, signed the letter of mutual intent with Vopak LNG, a division of Royal Vopak NV (Vopak), yesterday.
Janek Parkman, Elering’s natural gas business developer, said key factors in Vopak LNG being selected were their global experience and independence from gas vendors and producers.
“Vopak LNG has experience in establishing and operating the largest LNG terminal in Europe: the GATE terminal in Rotterdam, which makes Vopak LNG the most considerable strategic partner for the developers of LNG terminals in the region of the Baltic Sea,” said Mr Parkman.
All three Baltic States are vying to host a joint LNG facility and open up the region's gas market, breaking Russia's monopoly, Russia is currently the sole natural gas supplier for Estonia and its neighbours Latvia and Lithuania.
Elering is hoping the study will put them ahead in that race, saying in an e-mailed statement that it would be useful in convincing the European Commission a Tallinn terminal could supply "the whole of the Baltics and Finland."
The results of the study are expected to be presented to the Natural Gas Committee at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in August later this year.
