LNG platform aimed for the development of the LNG market launched
On November 8, six partners – science institutions and businesses – set up an LNG platform, says press center of Klaipėdos Nafta. The platform is aimed at strengthening and developing the LNG market and relevant activities in Lithuania.
The partners of the LNG platform – AB Klaipėdos Nafta, UAB Ligas, AB Amber Grid, UAB Lietuvos Dujų Tiekimas, Klaipėda University, and the Lithuanian LNG cluster – set up the LNG platform in Lithuania in accordance with the letter of intent on cooperation signed with the national LNG platform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 28 June 2016. The Lithuanian LNG platform was established considering the good experience of the national LNG platform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“During the three years of the operation of the Klaipėda LNG terminal we have developed the LNG infrastructure and created a broad range of LNG activities. Today, by creating a platform which unites business and science we move ahead – we join forces to seek real possibilities to apply this type of fuel in practice as extensively as possible and make it available for a wider group of consumers. LNG is the fuel of the future, and its application in industry and logistics is gathering speed across the world, with Lithuania keeping pace with the European leaders of LNG use in these sectors – the Netherlands, France, Spain, Germany, or Italy,” said the Lithuanian Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.
The partners of the platform are seeking to promote the use of LNG, as a new, cleaner and quieter fuel, in the transport, industrial and other sectors and create the common information and work platform of all potential participants of the LNG market.
“All the partner countries are interested in promoting the use of LNG as fuel and developing relevant activities and innovations. An integrated approach to LNG and the involvement of countries developing LNG economic-commercial activities, an education and science institution as well as an LNG cluster will contribute to the quality development a of legal and regulatory basis in Lithuania and neighbouring regions and promote the use of LNG, as one of the cleanest fossil fuels, in the transport and industry sectors. It is also important to fully use the capacities of the floating LNG storage and regasification unit Independence as the LNG distribution hub of the whole Baltic Sea region,” pointed out CEO of KN Mindaugas Jusius when speaking about the objectives of the platform.
"We are the pioneers of LNG trading in the Baltic States, we have the unique know-how, a wide range of contacts with the largest players in the LNG market in Europe and in the world. We want to employ that and contribute to the further successful development of LNG appliance in the region, as we see good prospects for the LNG market," said Vytautas Čekanavičius, CEO of LITGAS.
„The progress that Lithuania has lately been demonstrating in the area of clean fuel allows us to talk more confidently of leadership beyond the regional level. Building the LNG platform in accordance with the best international practice, we’re making real headway in making LNG fuel more prevalent in logistics and industry. Both science and business will receive an opportunity to enhance cooperation, which could give us more initiatives like the development of an LNG-fuelled locomotive and a smart transport container in the future. For the state, this means the procurement of unique expertise and a competitive advantage in the international market,” said the head of the LNG Cluster Management Board, and Director-General of Lithuanian Railways Mantas Bartuška.
"Being one of the leading natural gas suppliers in the Baltics, we actively joined the Baltic Sea small-scale LNG supply market this year. It is symbolic that already the fifth small-scale LNG cargo is being loaded in Klaipeda today. I am convinced that the establishment of this platform will contribute to the development of a faster LNG market in the Baltic region and the Baltic Sea, and this will bring benefits to Lithuanian consumers and business," said Mantas Mikalajūnas, CEO of Lietuvos Dujų Tiekimas.
‘The platform will serve as an instrument for the development of LNG sector, that will promote the use of LNG not only in the traditional fields, but also in the new ones through the use of know-how, experience and modern smart technologies,’ said Saulius Bilys, CEO of Amber Grid.
