The Minister of the Sea of Portugal, Ana Paula Vitorino, held a high-level meeting with a delegation of energy diplomacy of the US Department of State, during the 18th of the World LNG Summit, which takes place at Lisbon, from the 27th November to the 1st December. 

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From the US side, the participants in the meeting were the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy and Natural Resources, John McCarrick and the US Ambassador in Lisbon, George Glass.

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From that bilateral meeting, the two countries issue a joint declaration that emphasizes the strategic importance of the Port of Sines as an Atlantic LNG hub and of the Portugal-US relationship for promoting maritime LNG as an element for strengthening the European Union energy security diversification, the strategic importance of the Port of Sines as a LNG hub, for improving the environmental performance of maritime transport and reinforcing a sustainable ocean economy, with an industry that creates high qualified jobs and technological innovation:

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Joint Statement Portugal-United States of America regarding cooperation on Maritime LNG, Blue Economy and Energy Security,

within the framework of the U.S. Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission

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Senior U.S. and Portuguese officials welcomed increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) cooperation between our two countries during bilateral discussions at the World LNG Summit.  

 

The Port of Sines received the first U.S. LNG shipment to Europe in 2016 and has continued to be the number one European destination for U.S. LNG.  U.S. LNG exports support energy sector jobs, contribute to lower energy prices, help strengthen Europe’s energy security and reduce emissions in the shipping sector. 

 

The U.S. and Portuguese delegations highlighted progress made in the bilateral energy relationship that will contribute to a more sustainable shipping and ocean economy.  They agreed to continue energy and blue economy cooperation, including via energy discussions within the framework of the U.S. Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission. 

 

The U.S. Department of State and Portuguese Ministry of the Sea will continue to work together to help Europe diversify its energy supplies through new sources of natural gas, vital interconnectors, LNG maritime infrastructure and new facilities to import LNG.