Poseidon Med II representatives with the Minister Kouroumplis during the presentation of the Presidential Decree*
A major milestone for Poseidon Med II work on regulatory framework:
Presidential Decree for LNG Bunkering in Greece
Greek Minister of Shipping P. Kouroumplis presented the Presidential Decree containing safety provisions for LNG bunkering operations in Greece at a ceremony held yesterday at Greek Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy, bringing together key marine stakeholders, representatives from relevant authorities, Poseidon Med II partners and journalists.
The Presidential Decree is the umbrella legislation, taking into account all national and international rules and practices, containing a set of provisions, such as safety & emergency procedures; Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS); fire-fighting measurements; manuals overview for LNG bunkering preparation and execution; training and other pillars, which will allow Greek ports to accommodate LNG bunkering operations.
“Poseidon Med II project started 3 years ago aiming at establishing the use of LNG as marine fuel in the East Mediterranean region. It has since then worked towards this direction, using 26 partners’ know-how and expertise. The Presidential Decree that was presented yesterday is a milestone for the project and the necessary step to establish the regulatory framework which will ensure the safe and uninterrupted use of LNG as marine fuel. We are proud to see Greece among the pioneers to adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework, demonstrating in this way that LNG is a sustainable solution. In parallel, Poseidon Med II has also advanced the technical aspects for the use of LNG, undergoing technical designs for ports infrastructure and LNG fuelled vessels, as well as environmental and economic feasibility studies which will facilitate the effective transition to the LNG era”, underlined George Polychroniou, Poseidon Med II Project Manager, Executive Director Strategy, Development, Administration & IT, Public Gas Corporation, DEPA S.A.
Presenting the Presidential Decree, with the presence of Minister of Shipping P. Kouroumplis, Vice-Minister N. Santorinios, representatives from maritime authorities and Poseidon Med II partners
During the event, government officials expressed their gratitude to Poseidon Med II partners for actively contributing, for more than a year, to the legislation process by sharing their knowledge and expertise. The Presidential Decree, paves the way for the next regulatory steps required for the adoption of LNG as marine fuel in Greece. Representing Poseidon Med II at the ceremony, Maria Fotiadou from DEPA,Vassilis Kazis & Tatiana Eleftheriadou from DESFA and Anna Apostolopoulou & Panayiotis Mitrou from Lloyd’s Register, answering to journalists’ questions, underlined how Poseidon Med II offers the missing links for a sustainable LNG supply chain in Greece by: basic and detailed designs for LNG bunkering vessels and LNG retrofits, new building designs of LNG fuelled Ro/ Pax ferries; plan approvals for LNG bunkering infrastructure in PMII participating ports-; small scale LNG infrastructure at Revithoussa LNG terminal and the development of funding tools that will instigate the necessary investments for ports and vessels.
What is Poseidon Med II project?
Poseidon Med II project is 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. The project, which is co-funded by the European Union, involves three countries Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Lemesos, 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.
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*l to r: P. Mitrou-Lloyd’s Register; Ch. Gargaretas-Ministry of Shipping; M. Fotiadou-DEPA; V. Kazis-DESFA; Minister of Shipping Kouroumplis; T. Eleftheriadou-DESFA, A. Apostolopoulou-Lloyd’s Register; Admiral I. Zikas-Ministry of Shipping.
