LNG demand in the trucking and industrial sectors, through gas grid operator DESFA’s LNG truck-loading service, enabling refueling of consumption points situated at a distance from the country’s gas network, appears set to rise in 2024, energypress sources have informed.

An increasing interest by market players for more time slots at DESFA’s truck-loading infrastructure, maintained by the operator at its Revythoussa terminal to load tankers, serves as a definite sign of the anticipated rise in LNG demand.

DESFA’s truck-loading infrastructure was launched in October 2022, while a first operational test took place in March, 2022. Three companies, Blue Grid, DEPA Commercial, and Motor Oil Hellas, took part in the testing with LNG trucks. The service has since been operating without issues and offers potential to serve a larger capacity.

Two industrial producers, Fthiotis Papermill, in central Greece, and dairy company Kolios, in Kilkis, northern Greece, have completed developing LNG storage and gasification facilities that are expected to begin operating in March.

At least ten more industrial producers appear interested in following suit by the end of 2024, sources have informed.

LNG appears set to play a bigger role in the heavy-transportation sector, the majority of cargo transfers planned for export to North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Four refueling stations being prepared by Blue Grid in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Ioannina will help broaden the LNG truck-loading market. The first two of these four stations – in Thriasio, on Athens’ western outskirts, a collaboration with Elin, and in Thessaloniki’s Sindos area, a collaboration with Kolokithas Fuels, are planned to be ready early April.

LNG usage by trucks promises operating cost savings of as much as 30 percent and significantly improved performance in terms of environmental impact.