Greece is poised to receive significant volumes of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first quarter of 2026, with at least 17 LNG tankers scheduled for arrival. This development underscores Greece’s increasing significance as a regional gas distribution center, particularly ahead of the full operational capacity of the Vertical Gas Corridor.
The Revythoussa terminal is expected to handle the majority of these shipments, with plans for 14 deliveries from January through March. This includes four deliveries each in January and February, followed by six in March, which will cumulatively supply over 11 TWh of gas. A substantial portion of this gas is anticipated to be redirected northward, mainly towards Bulgaria.
Additionally, the Alexandroupoli LNG terminal is projected to receive at least one tanker each month during this period. Market analysts suggest that further arrivals could occur in February and March, potentially increasing the total number of US shipments to 17 or more within just three months.
If all planned deliveries materialize, Greece could see an influx of five to six LNG carriers monthly—a frequency not commonly seen in the local market. Analysts emphasize that this sustained interest from US suppliers solidifies Greece’s future role as a transit route for gas heading to Eastern Europe and Ukraine, especially once initial operational challenges along the Vertical Gas Corridor are addressed.
This anticipated surge in imports follows a notable increase in US LNG flows to Greece throughout 2025, where deliveries escalated to 8.59 TWh—approximately three times the volume recorded in 2024. Such trends have established Revythoussa and Alexandroupoli as critical junctions within the Balkan gas supply network.
Moreover, ongoing cold weather conditions across Europe have heightened gas consumption levels and intensified spot trading activities, resulting in a nearly 40% increase in prices since early January. By last week’s close, benchmark gas prices had surged to €37.6/MWh. Traders have reported robust demand for spot cargoes within Greece and neighboring Balkan markets, suggesting that additional LNG shipments beyond those currently scheduled may be forthcoming.
