Partners of Poseidon Med II, a practical roadmap which aims to bring about the wide adoption of LNG as a safe, environmentally efficient and viable alternative fuel for shipping and help the East Mediterranean marine transportation propel towards a low-carbon future, exchanged views with representatives from the Secretariat General of Ports, Port Policy & Maritime Investments of the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, on the development of the national regulatory framework for the use of LNG as an alternative fuel for vessels, at a recent workshop held at the LNG Terminal in Revythoussa, the islet just off Athens.

The workshop began with a guided tour of the terminal, Greece’s main supply source of LNG, for public officials and project partners.

The event, which brought together representatives from key project partners – DEPA (Public Gas Corporation), DESFA (natural gas grid operator) and Lloyd’s Register & Rogan Associates – with public officials, provided public authorities a presentation of the scope and objectives of the Poseidon Med II project as well as the progress already achieved.  Specific emphasis was given to the work on regulatory issues, as well as on the issuance of necessary permits & licences for the construction of the relevant port infrastructures.

During the workshop, participants thoroughly discussed the international environmental and safety standards and provisions that should be incorporated into the national strategic policy framework for alternative fuels, so that LNG will be a feasible and available option for the shipping society in Eastern Mediterranean, meeting the marine fuel sulphur limits by 2020.

This event offered an excellent opportunity for establishing synergies with national authorities, to ensure adequate and effective regulatory framework for LNG bunkering will be in place.

The Poseidon Med II project, co-funded by the European Union, involves three countries Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Limassol, Venice, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa), as well as the Revithoussa LNG terminal. The project brings together top experts from the marine, energy and financial sectors to design an integrated LNG value chain and establish a well-functioning and sustainable LNG market.