The building of new gas terminal near Kiaules Nugara and Achema Group plans to build new gas terminal in Smelte peninsula can become a funeral march for the International Ferry Terminal.

Sea Ferry Quays

The fact that the ferry business that transports passenger might not be carried out near the LNG terminals is not being discussed. However, such thoughts are hovering at informal talks since the time the decision was made to build LNG terminal near Kiaules Nugara. In the meeting of Klaipeda Territorial Council Planning Committee, the programme of environmental impact assessment of the LNG terminal near Smelte peninsula has been presented by the Klaipeda Stevedoring Company KASCO. The exact location of the terminal has not been referred at the presentation to the City Municipality. It was mentioned that a floating gas container vessel (FSRU) could moor to the berths 146 or 147. In another case it was mentioned that it could moor to the berths 151 and 152. All of these berths are now being used for ferry lines, going from Klaipeda to Kiel, Sassnitz and Karlshamn. They also service DFDS Seaways passenger-cargo (ro-pax) ferries. Such plans were presented by KLASCO director of production and Achema Group’s representative for building of LNG terminal in Smelte peninsula Algis Latakas.

Analogous terminals

The wish to build two LNG terminals in Klaipeda port surprises not only Lithuanians but also foreigners. Recently, a journalist from Poland was interested in this fact. For him, the building of two LNG terminals seemed like a misunderstanding. It is also surprising that the two LNG terminals are almost identical. The state terminal near Kiaules Nugara which is going to be built by Klaipeda Oil is thought to have the capacity of 2-3 billion cubic meters per year. The gas would be taken by the special unit (FSRU).

KLASCO plans to build 3 billion cubic meters per year capacity LNG terminal near Smelte peninsula. The gas would be similarly taken by the special unit (FSRU). To tell the truth, the discussion of the construction of shore-based gas facility is going under way.

KLASCO and Klaipeda Oil liquefied gas terminals will be served by similar ships of 130 to 150 thousand tons of capacity, approximately 300 meters in length and 12 meters draft. From both the public and private LNG terminals, the gas will be supplied using the same pipeline. The only difference is that the state terminal will be built until 2014 and the KLASCO LNG terminal is going to be finished in 2015-2016.

Promise before departing

In any case, the building of liquefied natural gas terminal is in the current conflict with the vision of Klaipeda State Sea Port Authority to have a prospect of ferry shipping business in Klaipeda. This year, in early September, the CEO of Port Authority Eugenijus Gentvilas claimed that it would be unwise to spend 112,5 million LTL for Klaipeda Passenger and Cargo Terminal, so as only to transfer ferry activity from DFDS Seaways. According to Mr. Gentvilas, the new Klaipeda Passenger and Cargo terminal is built to create new shipping company to compete with DFDS Seaways. He also said that the Port Authority has allocated 35 million LTL for the reconstruction of Kairiu St. to improve the freight transportation to the ferries. In early October, Mr. Gentvilas assured that he has discussed the construction of LNG terminal near Smelte peninsula with Bronislavas Lubys. It happened a couple of days before the fateful day. According to Mr. Gentvlas, Bronislavas Lubys assured him that there is no point in moving DFDS Seaways ferries to the new Cargo and Passenger terminal.

The representatives of DFDS Seaways have stated that they have no intent to go to the new terminal. It will be problematic for entrances. To reconstruct Baltija Prospect by fitting two level junctions with Minija St., Taika Prospect and Silute highway will cost 320 million LTL. Where can the city of Klaipeda get such money? Meanwhile, the exit from ferry terminal, through reconstructed Kairiai St. and future installation of southern exit to the highway Klaipeda-Silute will be much more preferred option.