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Lithuania welcomes ‘game changing’ LNG vessel

LNG Industry,


President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania attended today’s welcoming ceremony for the arrival of the LNG storage vessel, the FSRU Independence, in Klaipeda.

The Klaipeda LNG terminal, described as a ‘guarantor of energy and geopolitical security’, will ensure self-sufficiency and security for Lithuania, enabling the European country to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.

The 170,000 m3 FSRU Independence, owned by Höegh LNG, arrived at the Klaipeda port this morning. It is the second of four FSRU (floating storage and regasification units) ordered from Hyundai Heavy Industries, and will serve as Lithuania’s first LNG import terminal under a long-term charter with Klaipedos Nafta.

Until now, Lithuania has been entirely dependent on gas imports from Russia’s Gazprom. This is the first strategic project under the European Energy Security Strategy to be successfully implemented in the Baltic region.

Those taking part in the welcoming ceremony included Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, members of the US Senate, representatives from Norway, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and other EU member states and EU institutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Grybauskaite said: "In the twenty-fifth year of its re-independence, Lithuania again stands proud of its strong spirit, courage and political will. The liquefied natural gas terminal is an important strategic project and a great victory of our state. It is not only energy independence, but also political freedom. From now on, nobody will dictate us the price for gas or buy our political will.”

According to Grybauskaite, the Klaipeda LNG terminal will be a security guarantee for the whole region. If necessary, it will be able to cover 90% of the gas supply needs of the Baltic region.


Edited from various sources by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/27102014/lithuania-welcomes-fsru-independence-1675/

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