Italy’s OLT Offshore LNG Toscana has received approval to offload chilled fuel to small-scale vessels from its FSRU located off the coast between Livorno and Pisa.
Italy’s Ministry of Economic Development, in agreement with the transport ministry and Tuscany Region, issued the approval to OLT.
With this, the FSRU Toscana becomes the first regasification terminal in Italy capable of providing small-scale services in the country.
This new activity adds an important piece to energy logistics, allowing to complete the supply chain that permits the use of LNG as a fuel capable of reducing emissions in heavy land and sea transport, as well as for industrial and civil uses in areas not served by the national transport network, OLT said.
First small-scale operations next year
The FSRU will need to undergo certain modifications to enable it to receive small-scale LNG carriers.
OLT CEO Giovanni Giorgi said the firm already completed the detailed design for the project. OLT plans to order equipment and start works by year-end.
He added that, according to current plans, the FSRU would load its first small-scale vessel in about 12 months.
The FSRU has a capacity of 3.75 bcm a year sending the fuel to Italy’s national grid via a 36.5 km-long pipeline.
Italy’s Snam has a 49.07% stake in the LNG terminal while Australian fund First State Investments owns a 48.24% share.
Golar LNG that provided the FSRU has a minor 2.69% stake in the LNG import facility.