Klaipėda University to develop LNG centre of excellence

“The LNG market is growing exponentially, therefore Klaipėda University has an opportunity to become a centre of excellence. It could carry out research in the area of LNG and prepare specialists, while the research and accomplishments could be beneficial for business enterprises such as Klaipėdos Nafta (Klaipėda Oil) or Western Shipyard,” Energy Minister Rokas Masiulis said during a meting held at Klaipėda University on Monday.

During the meeting, Klaipėda University introduced a vision of cooperation between business and science in creating the LNG centre of excellence. The demand for LNG specialists is bound to grow exponentially in the near future, as the LNG technology is developing.

“With the LNG terminal operational, our company is developing an inland LNG distribution station project. This means that more engineers, highly competent experts and other specialists in the area of LNG will be needed. Therefore, we are looking for common ground with Klaipėda University and ways to join forces, knowledge and existing experience in founding the LNG centre of excellence,” said Mantas Bartuška, Director General of AB Klaipėdos Nafta.

According to Education and Science Minister Audronė Pitrėnienė, one of the approved smart specialisation priorities is energy and sustainable development. The ministry intends to support education and science projects encompassing research and development (R&D) that strive for original knowledge or technologies that would be applied in practice and would be commercialised in the future. The minister says this should not only encourage the process of transfer of knowledge and technology, cooperation between science and business or investment in R&D, but also help create “offspring companies” that would bring financial benefit.