Eesti Gaas diversifies sourcing, eyes LNG terminal or bunker vessel

Inks accord with Klaipedos Nafta, plans LNG terminal or delivery barge to meet demand.

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Updated on 19 Dec 2017 16:05 GMT

Estonia's Eesti Gaas has confirmed that it has inked an agreement with terminal operator Klaipedos Nafta for the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Lithuania. Eesti Gaas says it has already purchased 1,500 cubic metres of LNG from the Klaipeda-based firm. The first delivery took place last week. Up until now, Eesti Gaas has been bringing in product mainly from Pskov in Russia, and also from Finland and Poland. The company says the contract with the Lithuanian terminal will further diversify its list of supply sources and enable it to provide LNG to more customers. "We are very pleased to start cooperation with the Klaipeda terminal; it increases our security of supply and turns LNG into a more attractive and available energy source for our customers," said Eesti Gaas board member Margus Kaasik. "Eesti Gaas has developed the best LNG delivery capability [in] the market. We are able to provide [a] proper service to [the LNG-fuelled ferry] Tallink Megastar and ensure volumes that are beyond the capabilities of small distributors," Kaasik noted. The Estonian firm currently performs LNG bunker deliveries using its own fleet of trucks, and is able to supply to clients not only in Estonia, but in other nearby countries as well. Looking to the future, CEO Ants Noot was cited by local media as saying that the company plans to build an LNG terminal or purchase an LNG bunkering vessel to carry out ship-to-ship supplies and meet what is expected to be a rise bunker demand for the alternative fuel. Kaasik, meanwhile, said: "The role of LNG in transportation, particularly in maritime transport, as a fuel will grow in the following years; Eesti Gaas considers it an important keyword in shaping its business plans."