The Italian Ministry of Economic Development in agreement with the Transport Ministry has issued the decree authorising OLT Offshore LNG Toscana, the company controlled by SNAM and First Sentier Investors that manages the FSRU Toscana terminal off the Tuscan coast between Livorno and Pisa, to provide the discharge of liquefied natural gas to small scale LNG carriers. This will be the first regasification terminal capable of providing small scale services off the coast of Italy.
LNG propulsion is growing fast in the ferry and cruise market in the country, and the floating terminal will be able to transfer liquefied natural gas to small gas tankers with some 7,500 cu m capacity.
A similar project is being considered for the regasification plant off Panigaglia, in the port of La Spezia.
The first LNG depot expected to enter service in Italy next year will be in Oristano, Nort of Sardinia, and in the port of Ravenna.
