Snam closing in on LNG terminal’s startup as FSRU is moored in Ravenna

Italian energy player Snam has completed the mooring of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal off the coast of Northern Italy.

According to Snam, the BW Singapore vessel was moored at the Petra platform located eight kilometers offshore Ravenna on February 28, 2025. Formerly used to dock oil tankers, the platform was recently repurposed to accommodate the FSRU, which reached the port of Palermo in December 2024.

“With the ship docking in Ravenna perfectly on schedule, Italy can rely on a new strategic asset, which, combined with the Italis Lng moored in Piombino, is another fundamental step towards supply diversification and the Country’s energy security,” said Snam CEO, Stefano Venier. 

“Ravenna is an ideal port of call, not only because it hosts on its territory a high-skilled, leading energy district, but also because of its strategic position attracting gas flows from the eastern Mediterranean area and beyond.”

Snam says it recently launched the tender to supply the first LNG cargo to BW Singapore for commissioning activities, comprising FSRU regasification plant operational tests and set-up. Scheduled for delivery this month, the cargo is also set to provide the minimum level of LNG in the terminal’s tanks required for full operation.

Built in 2015, the BW Singapore can store 170,000 cubic meters of liquefied gas and has a regasification capacity of up to 5 billion cubic meters per year. Snam inked a deal to purchase the vessel in 2022, with the acquisition finalized in December 2023.

With the commissioning of BW Singapore, Italy’s regasification capacity is anticipated to increase to 28 billion cubic meters per year, corresponding to around 45% of its 2023 gas demand.

The Italian player holds stakes in all regulated LNG regasification terminals operating in the country. In addition to Ravenna, this includes Adriatic LNG-in which Snam recently upped its stake, the Panigaglia terminal, the OLT FSRU Toscana terminal, and the FSRU Italis LNG terminal.