storage to make the EU gas systemmore diverse and flexible,
thus contributing to the key Energy Union objective of a
secure, resilient and competitive gas supply. Following the
Directive 2012/33/UE, concerning the European view on fuels
aiming to reduce polluting emissions in the transport sector,
LNG has been considered one of the potential fuels to be used.
This would have a particular impact in the maritime sector due to
the recent entrance of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea into the
Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECAs). The OLT terminal can play
a decisive role in the Mediterranean Sea, as shown in a specific
document issued by the Ministry of Economic Development,
illustrating the potential development of the small scale LNG
chain. A feasibility study co-financed by the European Commission
under the TEN-T funding programme, named ‘Sea Terminals’,
confirmed that, with minor modifications, the OLT Terminal will be
able to discharge small LNG quantities on small LNG carriers that
could supply the main ports located in the Mediterranean Sea. In
line with the positive results of the study, OLT has submitted a
request for funding, as per the EU ‘Connecting Europe Facility’ call,
to cover detailed engineering studies and permitting analysis to
modify the terminal to offer small scale LNG reload service.
Challenges
With decreasing LNG prices in Asian markets due to an
unexpected fall in oil prices, and lower-than-expected growth
in Asian demand, LNG is becoming available in Europe at prices
competitive to pipeline gas. The LNGmarket is now attractive
for a number of reasons, including new LNG coming on stream
in the next two years mainly from the US and Australia, the role
of LNG in Europe’s security of supply policy, and the potential to
tackle the growing dependence on imports. As a result, additional
LNG volumes could be seen in European countries (including
Italy) in the coming years. Within this scenario, the
FSRU Toscana
terminal will play an important role for the Italian market as a
flexible entry point into the national gas grid, offering a wide range
of capacity products, the possibility to receive LNG from almost
all liquefaction plants in the world, and high send-out flexibility.
FSRU Toscana
can provide full access to LNG that will be
made available to Europe. As well as offering flexibility and high
reliability in its regasification service, it also offers specific services,
such as peak shaving and bundled services.
service and quality are within your reach
tel: +1 703 620 4880
International Registries, Inc.
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Maritime & Corporate Administrators
the Republic of the Marshall
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Figure 4.
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