A unique weathervane marking the new chapter in the history of the LNG terminal vessel Independence tells the story of Lithuania’s freedom path

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the arrival of the Klaipėda LNG terminal vessel Independence, a key factor in Lithuania's energy independence. This milestone coincides with the transfer of ownership of this strategically important floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to Lithuania. To commemorate these events and to symbolize Independence as a lighthouse of Lithuania's path to freedom, the vessel has been adorned with a special weathervane, highlighting significant moments in the country's history for independence. This initiative was spearheaded by its commercial operator, KN Energies.
 
The Weathervane of Freedom that adorns FSRU Independence was created in collaboration with renowned Curonian weathervane maker Vaidotas Bliūdžius, historian Norbertas Černiauskas and muralist Artur Širin. It retains the form of the traditional weathervane of the Curonian Spit, but its modern symbols tell the story of Lithuania's freedom and signify the nation's uncompromising pursuit of independence, both political and energy. The weathervane's symbolism is also a reference to the name of the FSRU.
 
"The mooring of the Independence in the Port of Klaipėda in 2014 was a historic event, comparable in significance to Lithuania's accession to the European Union and NATO. In today's geopolitical landscape, true political independence is impossible without energy independence. Thanks to the Independence, Lithuania secured this and became the first European country to completely refuse Russian gas imports. This achievement marks an important milestone in Lithuania's journey to freedom and stands as a symbol of that journey. This significance is now commemorated by a unique weathervane adorning the terminal's hull," says Darius Šilenskis, CEO of KN Energies.
 
In this weathervane inspired by the folk art traditions of the Curonian Lagoon coasts, which date back to the 19th century, the history of Lithuania's independence is being depicted by symbols of the signing of the Act of Independence on February 16th, the 1944-1953 anti-Soviet resistance, the activities of the Lithuanian Resistance Movement, activities of Reform Movement of Lithuania, the tragic events of January 1991, and the country’s accession to NATO and the EU in 2004. This sequence of important historical events ended by the mooring of the Independence in the port of Klaipėda in 2014.
 

"The Curonian Spit decorative weathervanes, which are included in the list of intangible cultural values of Lithuania, are found nowhere else – only in our country. It is a unique object of folk art and an authentic storytelling tool that has been preserved until today. Each element of the weathervanes created by the inhabitants of the Curonian Spit had a meaning and was connected to the common story of the fisherman's origin, history, values, and faith. This form is also preserved in the Independence weathervane, which will tell everyone who looks at it about Lithuania as a freedom-loving country," says V. Bliūdžius, who contributed to the creation of the weathervane.
 
A 31-metre-long and 8-metre-high weathervane, printed on special film, adorns both sides of Independence's hull in the forward part of the vessel. The weathervane was applied at a shipyard in Denmark, where Independence was undergoing maintenance and repair work in May this year.
 
The Independence, built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd shipyard, docked at Klaipėda Port in October 2014 and commenced commercial operations in 2015. Until now, Lithuania has been using the vessel under a lease agreement, but it has been decided to buy out the FSRU, which will be transferred to the ownership of Lithuania this year.
 
Klaipėda LNG terminal is one of the most important facilities ensuring Lithuania's national energy security, which created the conditions for the emergence of a natural gas market in Lithuania and opened the possibility to import natural gas from all over the world. In the wake of Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022, Lithuania has completely refused to import Russian gas and is meeting all its natural gas needs through Independence.
                            
KN Energies is an international energy terminal operator that ensures safe and reliable flows of liquid energy, loading of chemicals and raw materials for users of the Baltic Sea region, and helps clients all over the world with knowledge and skills to develop sustainable energy infrastructure projects. The company currently operates three terminals of liquid energy products in Klaipėda, Subačius and Marijampolė, and is an operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Lithuania and Brazil. It also provides commercial operation services for four floating LNG terminals in Germany including technical operation and maintenance services for the LNG terminal Wilhelmshaven 2.