On June 22nd 2018 the External Expert Advisory Committee (EEAC) held its opening meeting at the Piraeus Marine Club.
The event was marked by the attendance of top Professionals representing key Organizations from the maritime and gas industry. Participants’ list included the Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), the European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA), the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (NEE), the Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology (ELINT), the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME). The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) were also represented.
The event was officially opened by the Project Manager of Poseidon Med II, Mr. G. Polychroniou. Following some brief introductions by the participants, each Poseidon Med II Activity Leaderr presented an insight of their respective Activity work and progress made so far.
A fruitful debate concluded the event, whereby issues concerning Simultaneous Operations at Portsand their links with the Regulatory Framework were vividly discussed. Some key interventions in the meeting’s works referred to the issue of proximity of LNG infrastructure to densely populated coastal areas, as well as the challenge of accommodating LNG bunkering operations in areas thriving with touristic activity, as in the case of the Port of Venice.
Notable was also the discussion evolved on the future use of LNG as marine fuel for deep sea shipping. Prominent figures of the shipping community advocated the option for LNG in certain trading patterns and emission control areas; yet expressed their concerns on the wider adoption of LNG as marine fuel, linked to safety and supply infrastructure inadequacies.