Cypriot LNG import terminal inching closer to completion with launch of new tender

Cyprus’ Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA), a subsidiary of the Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA), has issued a tender for the provision of management services to complete the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal project at the country’s Vassiliko Port.

Based on the information from Cyprus’ e-Procurement system, the tender encompasses project management services in the areas of architecture, construction, civil engineering, and supervision services, paired with services related to the oil and gas industry. The tender opened on August 29, and bids will be accepted until September 20, 2024. The price-quality ratio will determine the winning bid.

This comes a month after the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Nicosia opened an investigation into the terminal project for alleged procurement fraud, misappropriation of European Union (EU) funds, and corruption. This prompted the European Commission to request a refund of the funding provided to the ETYFA.

Originally scheduled to be finalized years ago, the construction of the LNG terminal at Vassiliko Port, aiming to create an entry point for natural gas to Cyprus, has not been completed yet. Valued at approximately €542 million, the project included €101 million from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program as a project of common interest (PCI). 

In November 2023, the China Petroleum Pipeline-led consortium in charge of converting the Prometheus from an LNG carrier to a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), shared that sea trials were completed. At the time, the terminal was expected to be opened in July 2024. The delivery ceremony for the FSRU was held two months later.