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© Vidmantas Matutis photo

Spausdinti   Supplement to article

The question on Lithuanian gas terminals should be answered by time and patience and the inhabitants of Klaipeda and politicians.

Preparations as planned

On evaluating all energy projects in Lithuania, it seemed that the most successful was the building of LNG gas terminal. The conclusion is reached because a stock company Klaipeda Oil is responsible for building it. The oil company looks very carefully at advanced product handling projects. Klaipeda Oil has managed to put a clear LNG terminal building schedule, starting from its documentation to the mooring of ships to a floating-gasification facility. Other experiences of sailing ships through the port of Klaipeda have been assessed and analyzed. Klaipeda Mayor Vytautas Grubliauskas publicly confirmed that all the work is proceeding as expected and some of it even faster than projected. The inhabitants of Klaipeda felt anxious when Achema Group started talking about building an LNG terminal in Smelte Peninsula. Two LNG terminals in one place are hardly imaginable.

Need to make a decision

Klaipeda needs to find a solution about a misunderstanding caused by the construction of two possible natural gas terminals next to each other. Steps in this direction have already been taken. In the meeting of liquefied natural gas terminal project interdepartmental commission, headed by the Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, Klaipeda Mayor Vytautas Grubliauskas presented it with the letter approved by the City Council. It states skeptical position of the Municipality to build two LNG terminals. The building of two terminals side by side could become a headache not only for the residents of Klaipeda but the port could feel the effects of intense shipping of gas tankers.

According to the navigational study on gas tankers in the port of Klaipeda, 1-2 gas tankers arrival at the port per month could not affect other activities in the port of Klaipeda. However, in case of receiving 4-5 tankers per month, the effects could be felt because when gas tankers enter a port, other shipping must be stopped.

Today, Klaipeda Oil has already made a number of works. The letters of intent are signed with gas suppliers. It would be unfair for such a company to refuse its activities in the name of Achema Group plans to build LNG terminal. Achema Group has not submitted a wider study on its project. The building of LNG terminal was presented only to the members of Klaipeda City Council and to its Planning Committee.