The LNG, liquefied natural gas, supply chain is growing in Italy: in December 2023 there are 293 activities with LNG deposits (+10% compared to 2022) for various uses, and the organic supply chain adds 7 new production plants for a total of 18 and a production capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year of bioLNG and 5 new plants are planned for 2024 with a further 7 in the planning phase.
Lorende known Assogasliquidi-Federchimica which is part of Confindustria on the basis of the SSlng Watch report carried out by Mbs Consulting at Cerved company.
Consumption also increased, +15% over 2023, with volumes equal to over 151,000 tonnes, mainly due to the recovery in demand for heavy road transport, explains the national association of liquefied gas companies, specifying that "in this last sector there are now 159 points of sale (+13.5% with 19 new plants of which 4 in the south), and a circulating fleet of 4,900 vehicles: here the figure is negative (-68%) compared to 2022 due to the increase in prices due to the energy crisis which slowed down investments, but between the end of the year and the start of 2024 the perspective has already changed".
The number of operators authorized to sell LNG and biomethane to end customers is also increasing: at the end of 2023 there are a total of 58 active (+32% compared to 44 at the end of 2022).
In maritime transport, as of 31 December 2023 there are 22 ships operating in the Mediterranean powered by LNG (4 new units compared to 2022) and 4 barges used for naval bunkering.
It is expected that by 2030 the majority of LNG-powered vessels will be cruise ships, which will be able to carry out bunkering operations at the main Mediterranean ports.
"Despite the turbulence in raw material prices during 2022, the Italian LNG industry managed to maintain its dominant position in Europe also during 2023" comments Andrea Arzà, president of Assogasliquidi-Federchimica who calls for "a series of national fiscal and regulatory interventions , aimed at the greater diffusion of this fuel and its bio molecule in our country".
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