Global industrial and energy trader Metlen has received the first US LNG cargo in Alexandroupolis, destined for the Bulgaria market.
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, Chief Executive Director, International Energy Supply & Trading at Metlen, said the arrival of its first cargo at the Greece FSRU was a “significant milestone” and the market is developing rapidly as Bulgaria diversifies from Russian gas.
“Over the years, we have demonstrated Greece’s role as a real energy hub … today with the introduction of this US-sourced cargo for the Bulgarian market, our long-standing partnership with Bulgargaz grows even stronger, as we continue contributing to regional energy security with reliability.”
Metlen maintains a strong footprint in the regional LNG markets, representing approximately 35% of total demand in Greece and Bulgaria, while covering nearly 50% of Greece’s total LNG imports via the Revythoussa Terminal.
The company also supplies LNG to third parties in markets across the Atlantic Basin, Northwestern Europe, and the Mediterranean.
The Bulgaria industrial gas market is worth $103m and features 19 production facilities, according to gasworld Intelligence data.
It is seeing major demand from chemicals, fertilisers, and glass industries, with growing consumption expected, driven partly by new Black Sea gas discoveries and increased imports.
The market is becoming more liberalised, attracting leading firms such as Air Liquide, while facing challenges such as energy security, infrastructure needs, and regulatory hurdles.