Filenews 8 July 2025 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
Not even today did the Government give timetables for the completion of the natural gas terminal project in Vassilikos.
During the discussion of the implementation of the liquefied natural gas import terminal in the Vassiliko area, in the parliamentary Energy Committee, the Minister of Energy Giorgos Papanastasiou said that the recently hired project manager (Technip company) undertook to organize some issues, pointing out that in ten months at the latest he will determine the timetables in the new contracts for the tenders for the terminal in Vassilikos.
As the minister said, the contract was signed last May, pointing out that there is a commitment on the part of the consultant to deliver the terms of the bids as soon as possible, so that the tender procedures for the ground works at the terminal can proceed.
At the same time, he pointed out that the project was received with serious burdens from previous decisions taken, such as the choice of the contractor and with heavy contracts with ambiguities.
He said they are waiting for the delivery of the two components for the Prometheus ship, which is in Malaysia, so that the procedures can proceed and it can be certified as a floating gas dehydrogenation unit (FSRU).
As told in committee, the cost of the components is estimated to amount to €8-9 million. He explained that the Norwegian company (Wilhelmsen Ship Management), which undertook the completion of the project of the floating unit, informed that it is estimated that the works will be completed in September and that the ship will be delivered to DEFA – ETYFA in October as a certified floating LNG dehydrogenation unit.
The minister, referring to the onshore works of the pier in Vassiliko, said that the French company that took over as project consultant (Technip) is proceeding with various works and procedures, so that ETYFA can come up with tenders to find the contractors who will undertake the projects.
Representatives of ETYFA said that an effort is being made to announce a bid for the land part, while as far as the pier is concerned, they said that they can proceed with a direct award. Responding to questions from MPs, they said that the cost of the presence of "Prometheus" in Malaysia until May was €345,000 per month and €5,000 for the anchorage, while since June it has been reduced by €47,000.
