The 153,600-cbm, Alexandroupolis, which will serve Gastrade’s FSRU-based LNG import terminal in Alexandroupolis, has left Singapore and is on its way to Greece, according to shipping data.
Its AIS data provided by VesselsValue shows that the FSRU left Singapore on Sunday and was on Monday located in the Malacca Strait, off Malaysia.
It is expected to arrive in Greece in mid-December.
Greece’s Gastrade told LNG Prime on November 20 that the unit was expected to depart Singapore by the end of this month.
The firm is also seeking a liquefied natural gas cargo for the commissioning of its FSRU-based LNG import terminal in Alexandroupolis.
It launched a tender on October 31 for the supply of the commissioning cargo and relevant services and the tender closes on December 5.
“Within December 2023, Gastrade will communicate to the successful tenderer a precise date for the unloading of the commissioning cargo which is likely going to be within the first half of January 2024,” the company said.
Gastrade said that the commercial operation date for the project “remains as planned for the first quarter of 2024.”
First Greek FSRU
The Greek company took the final investment decision on the project worth about 363.7 million euros ($397 million) in January last year and officially started construction in May the same year.
Gastrade’s shareholders include founder Copelouzou, DESFA, DEPA, GasLog, and Bulgartransgaz.
Shareholder and Greek LNG shipping firm GasLog told Keppel Offshore & Marine, now Seatrium, in February last year to proceed with the conversion of the 2010-built, GasLog Chelsea, to an FSRU.
The vessel entered the yard in February this year and the partners renamed it to Alexandroupolis.
Last week, GasLog announced in a social media post the completion of the conversion work at Seatrium.
“Looking forward to seeing the vessel at site for the final commissioning work,” it said.
Seapeak also announced the completion of the conversion project in a separate statement issued on Monday saying the vessel has completed nearshore testing works and set sail to Greece for final gas commissioning works.
GasLog will sell this unit to Gastrade for about $265 million.
The Alexandroupolis LNG terminal will have a capacity of 5.5 Bcm.
With this project, Greece will get its first FSRU and also the second LNG import facility, adding to DESFA’s import terminal located on the island of Revithoussa.
In addition to this unit, Gastrade is also planning to install a second FSRU offshore Alexandroupolis.
(Updated with a statement by Seatrium.)