Singapore’s LNG Alliance has announced plans to develop a 4 million tpa LNG import terminal in Karnataka, India, in collaboration with the government of Karnataka and the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT).
The terminal will have the potential for expansion up to 8 million tpa to meet the expected rise in demand over the next 20 years. As well as regasification services, the terminal will have ISO LNG containerisation facilities and an LNG truck loading facility. It will also be India’s first dedicated LNG bunkering facility, serving ships visiting NMPT and bunkering shuttles to the west coast of India. NMPT is ideally located as it is well connected with major interstate highways and railways, forming virtual pipelines for inland distribution.
LNG Alliance says it will invest $290 million (€257 million) over the next three years to develop, construct, and operate a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), and manage the LNG supply.
CEO Dr Muthu Chezhian said: “The company will develop a tolling fee-based floating import terminal, which aims to be the most competitive in India. The terminal will be open to third parties.”
India’s energy consumption is expected to grow by at least 35 percent by 2030 and LNG will be an important bridging fuel as the Indian government seeks to move away from more polluting fuels.
“The LNG terminal at NMPT will bring many benefits to the households and industrial customers in Karnataka, most importantly affordable natural gas supply. Local industries will gain from the advantages of the new supply chains that are created through the establishment of satellite LNG/CNG fuel stations and LNG distribution through virtual pipelines, to reach the hinterlands of Karnataka and the growing CGD networks,” said Cheryl Goh, executive director of LNG Alliance, Singapore.
For more information visit www.lngalliance.com
