LNG bunkering at the Patras port in Greece gained traction following a technical workshop looking into the feasible scenarios for LNG bunkering installations and potential appropriate sites within the port.
The workshop sets the foundations for the technical study development under the Poseidon Med II project co-funded by the European Union.
The project involves three countries Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Limassol, Venice, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa) as well as the Revithoussa LNG terminal.
During the workshop, a fuel calculation review of LNG fuel requirements for two currently operating types of Ro-Pax vessels on the Bari and Ancona routes was estimated.
Additionally, significant issues on LNG supply chain were critically evaluated, taking into account the needs for natural gas for domestic and industrial use in Patras area.
George Polychroniou , project manager of Poseidon Med II, said, “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.”
Further expansion of these facilities, to enable access to natural gas of households, commercial and industrial users in the city of Patras, and customers located in the region of Western Greece, constitutes an important viability and sustainability parameter for the full deployment of the project, Polychroniou added.