Svitzer, a global towage supplier, has agreed to serve Gastrade’s Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (Alexandroupolis INGS) LNG terminal, Greece’s first offshore LNG project.
The 15-year agreement states that Svitzer will use its knowledge and experience to set up towage services and support for advanced LNG operations at the new import terminal.
This includes supporting a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) with a pipeline system connecting the floating unit to the Greek National Natural Gas Transmission System and onwards to final consumers in Greece and the Balkans.
Svitzer is scheduled to provide four new ASD tugboats, fully manned by a Greek crew, to assist the FSRU and the carriers delivering LNG.
Svitzer tugboats will reportedly provide berthing, un-berthing, navigation assistance, and other terminal services including firefighting, pollution control, and pilot and boarding party transfer.
Svitzer will also provide support and station keeping services to the FSRU during initial installation.
READ: Svitzer expands into Port of Salvador
The project marks Svitzer’s first entry into the Greek market and will see the company apply its skills in the local environment.
The agreement will result in the establishment of both onshore and offshore work opportunities headquartered at the Alexandroupolis terminal.
While the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal is scheduled to open in early 2024, Svitzer has already begun the recruiting process to ensure that workers get rigorous training in accordance with Svitzer’s operational and safety requirements before operations begin.
READ: Maersk’s Svitzer, Caterpillar pen global agreement to enhance vessel performance
Advanced tug simulators will be used for training, simulating the actual environment near the Alexandroupolis LNG facility.
Commenting on the agreement, Lise Demant, Managing Director, Svitzer Europe, said: “We are delighted that Gastrade has chosen us as its trusted partner to deliver towage services for the Alexandroupolis INGS LNG terminal.
“The long-term agreement will allow Svitzer to grow within its core business, expand geographically and deliver safe and efficient marine services to a new customer.
“We look forward to being part of the first offshore LNG project in Greece and to welcome new Greek colleagues to Svitzer who will help deliver reliable and high-quality towage service to Gastrade and its customers.”
Konstantinos Sifnaios, Managing Director at Gastrade, added: “High-quality towage and marine services will be critical to the success of the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal project.
“We are convinced that Svitzer is the right partner to deliver this, thanks to its extensive track record in terminal towage, its agile fleet management, and solid experience from servicing many other LNG customers globally.
“We look forward to working together with Svitzer to build jobs in the local market and ensure energy security for the region and beyond.”
In May 2023, Svitzer announced that it will invest in two new fuel-efficient tugs to operate on Newcastle Harbour.
