Greece’s gas grid and Revithoussa terminal operator DESFA is joining forces with the Port of Elefsina to develop LNG fuel infrastructure within the port located near Athens.
The duo signed a memorandum of understanding for the “development, expansion and promotion” of LNG. The partners aim to offer LNG as fuel in Greece but also to the wider geographical area, DESFA said in a statement.
In addition, the cooperation of the two firms would “upgrade” the Port of Elefsina, which would become an “important energy hub” for the development of an LNG truck loading chain, the statement said.
LNG can be transported by trucks to customers not connected by pipelines throughout Greece whereas Elefsina’s port facilities would serve the “transport of LNG to and from the island of Revithoussa,” the firm said.
To remind, DESFA is building a truck loading station at the Revithoussa LNG terminal and expects to complete the facility this year.
Under the new memorandum, DESFA aims to study three port facilities in Kronos Elefsina, Perama Megaridos, and Almyra Megaron for the “maritime transport of LNG tanker trucks by ferries to and from the nearby island of Revithoussa,” it said.
Small-scale LNG in Greece on the rise
Besides building the truck loading station, DESFA has also recently taken a final investment decision to build a small-scale jetty at the Revithoussa LNG terminal, boosting bunkering opportunities in the region.
The Greek firm will build the jetty in the northeastern part of the island located in the gulf of Pachi at Megara, 45 km west of Athens.
Moreover, the new jetty will have the capacity to load small-scale ships ranging in size from 1,000 cbm to up to 28,000 cbm.
Italy’s Snam holds a controlling stake in DESFA via Greece-based joint venture Senfluga Energy Holdings.
The venture has a 66 percent stake in DESFA and consists of majority owner Snam, Spain’s Enagas, Belgium’s Fluxys, and Copelouzos Group’s Damco.