AKTOR’s Atlantic SEE LNG and DEPA Trading is doubling the volumes of U.S. LNG from Venture Global, strengthening the Vertical Corridor, energy security, and Greece’s role as a regional hub natural gas.

New momentum for the Vertical Gas Corridor

Significant boost to strategic planning for the Vertical Gas Corridor is provided by the extension of the long-term agreement of the Atlantic SEE LNG, the joint venture between AKTOR and DEPA Trading, with the American Venture Global. The agreement doubles the quantities of LNG that the company will source from the United States, strengthening the energy supply capacity of Central and Southeastern Europe via Greece.

This development follows the investment by Venture Global in capacity commitments for the Alexandroupolis FSRU, while it is directly linked to efforts to increase the capacity of the Vertical Corridor on the core route Greece-Bulgaria-Romania-Moldova-Ukraine route, as well as with its extension to Slovakia, Hungary and the Western Balkans.

20-year agreement with doubling of volumes

The extension of the existing Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) provides for the supply of U.S. LNG for 20 years, starting in 2030. In this context, Atlantic SEE LNG is increasing the committed volumes from at least 0.5 million tons per year to 1 million tons per year.

The agreement effectively activates a provision that had been incorporated into the initial contract between the two parties, which was signed in Athens in November 2025 within the framework of PTEC and was described as the first long-term LNG supply agreement in Southeast Europe.

At the same time, the issuance of the necessary letters of guarantee by Atlantic SEE LNG marks the full activation of the initial agreement, further strengthening the company’s long-term strategy for diversifying supply sources.

Exarchou: We are strengthening a new energy corridor

A central role in the implementation of the plan is played by the AKTOR Group, with the Group’s CEO and CEO of Atlantic SEE LNG, Alexandros Exarchou, emphasizing that the agreement reflects the ambition and strong foundations of the company’s long-term strategic planning in the LNG sector.

As Mr. Exarchou emphasized, strengthening cooperation with Venture Global highlights the significant prospects created by the Vertical Corridor for energy security and the diversification of supply sources in the Central and Eastern Europe, while at the same time reaffirming the ever-strengthening energy cooperation between Greece and the United States.

He noted that long-term partnerships are becoming increasingly important in an environment of heightened energy challenges, while transatlantic cooperation plays a decisive role in the resilience of European markets.

New agreements and expansion in the region

Increased LNG volumes create the conditions for new agreements with natural gas buyers from the wider region. According to Alexandros Exarchou, negotiations with Romania are expected to be completed by the end of the summer, which will increase the committed volumes to 3.7 billion cubic meters per year.

At the same time, provided that agreements proceed with Bulgaria and Ukraine, Atlantic SEE LNG plans to enter into new LNG supply contracts. Markets such as Serbia, Croatia and North Macedonia, further strengthening the company’s regional role.

For its part, Venture Global links the expanded agreement to its investment in the Alexandroupolis FSRU, where it has committed to a capacity corresponding to approximately 25% of the terminal’s total capacity. The company’s CEO Mike Sabel described the Vertical Corridor a vital energy hub for the region, emphasizing that the investment in Alexandroupolis creates new safe and reliable transport routes U.S. LNG to Central and Eastern Europe.

At the same time, the chairman of Atlantic SEE LNG and CEO of DEPA Trading, Konstantinos Xifaras, noted that the agreement marks the transition “from vision to implementation,” confirming that Greece now has the infrastructure and strategic partnerships to serve as a key gateway for U.S. LNG to Southeast and Central Europe.