Portugal sees Sines Port as gateway for Qatar LNG to Central Europe

Portugal sees Sines Port as gateway for Qatar LNG to Central Europe

Portugal can become a strategic gateway to strengthen Qatar’s global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain to Europe, through its deep water port, according to Lisbon-based Forum Portugal Qatar (FPQ), a non-profit organisation to promote trade between the two countries.

"Portugal's deep water port (Sines), is ready and has the capacity to store LNG, and the pipeline to distribute directly to Central Europe," said Nuno Anahory, founder and chairman of FPQ, which will organise Qatar-Portugal Trade and Investments summit in October this year.

Sines LNG terminal is a regasification terminal in Setubal District, Portugal and accounts for more than 55% of gas entering Portugal. It lies about 150km to the south of Lisbon.

The European Council is reviewing the energy strategy (especially on account of its dependence on Russia) and the permanent situation lies in the opportunity to rebuild the energy’s facilities inside Europe, according to him.

"Portugal for its natural geography, open to Atlantic sea, will be a key point for gas supply, and distribution through Europe," he said.

Recently, Reuters reported that Portugal's energy secretary had said Europe must urgently diversify its natural gas supply sources to reduce its dependence on Russia, pointing to big producers such as the US and Qatar as