The Klaipėda LNG terminal has completed what operator KN Energies claims is the first virtual liquefaction operation of biomethane in the Baltic region.

The operation involved bio-LNG being loaded onto the Coral Energy vessel chartered by Finnish energy firm Gasum, while virtual biomethane liquefaction at the terminal was carried out by Norway's Equinor.

The bio-LNG used is biomethane liquefied from the gas network and produced from raw materials located in Europe, enabling clients using the Klaipeda facility to reduce their carbon footprint.

"By completing the first virtual biomethane liquefaction operation, the Klaipėda LNG terminal has become the first terminal in the Baltic region to offer such a service. Currently, only a few of the 28 operating LNG terminals in Europe provide biomethane liquefaction or virtual liquefaction services," explained Mindaugas Navikas, Chief Commercial Officer at KN Energies.

Navikas noted the initiative would contribute to the decarbonisation of maritime transport, particularly considering stricter renewable fuel requirements coming into force in 2025 under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, EU Regulation 2023/1805, which requires ships over 5,000 gross tonnages to gradually decrease the greenhouse gas intensity of their fuels, starting with a 2% reduction by 2025 and reaching 80% by 2050.

The Anthony Veder-owned Coral Energy is the world's first direct-driven, dual-fuel, ice-class 1A LNG carrier. Back in 2017, it was the first small-scale LNG tanker to load in Klaipeda. Prior to that, in 2016, it was involved in the world's first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation between two independent ocean-going vessels.