Greece-based energy company Gastrade has selected Svitzer to provide services for its Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (Alexandroupolis INGS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

The contract will see Svitzer build a system to connect a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) to the Greek National Natural Gas Transmission System, and then to end customers in Greece and the Balkans.

To help the FSRU and LNG carriers, Svitzer, which is a part of AP Moller-Maersk, will deliver four ASD tugboats, fully staffed by Greek personnel.

The tugboats will offer terminal services such as berthing/un-berthing, navigation, firefighting, pollution control and boarding party transfer.

During initial installation, Svitzer will also offer FSRU support and station-keeping services.

Svitzer Europe managing director Lise Demant said: “The long-term agreement will allow Svitzer to grow within its core business, expand geographically, and deliver safe and efficient marine services to a new customer.

“We look forward to being part of the first offshore LNG project in Greece and to welcome new Greek colleagues to Svitzer, who will help deliver reliable and high-quality towage service to Gastrade and its customers.”  

The contract marks Svitzer’s entry into the Greek market.

Gastrade managing director Konstantinos Sifnaios said: “High-quality towage and marine services will be critical to the success of the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal project. We are convinced that Svitzer is the right partner to deliver this, thanks to its extensive track record in terminal towage, its agile fleet management and solid experience from servicing many other LNG customers globally.”