Svitzer, part of A.P. Moller-Maersk and a global towage provider, has signed a 15-year agreement to serve Gastrade’s Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (Alexandroupolis INGS) LNG terminal, Greece’s first offshore LNG project.
Svitzer will use its global terminal towage knowledge and experience to build up towage services and support for advanced LNG operations at the new import terminal shortly.
This include providing assistance for a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) with a pipeline infrastructure linking the floating unit to the Greek National Natural Gas Transmission infrastructure and thereafter to final consumers in Greece and the Balkans.
Svitzer will also offer four contemporary ASD tugboats, totally staffed by Greek personnel, to assist the FSRU and LNG carriers. Berthing, un-berthing, navigation aid, and other terminal services such as firefighting, pollution control, pilot and boarding party transfer will be provided by Svitzer tugboats.
During the first installation, Svitzer will also offer support and station-keeping services to the FSRU. Svitzer’s first entry into the Greek market will see the company utilise its experience and capabilities in the local context.
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 guarantee that workers get detailed education in accordance with Svitzer’s operational and safety requirements before operations begin.
Advanced tug simulators will be used for training, simulating the actual environment near the Alexandroupolis LNG facility.
