100th LNG cargo comes at one German terminal as dredging work kicks off at another

Germany’s state-owned operator Deutsche Energy Terminal (DET) has received its 100th liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment at one of the four LNG terminals it operates in the country. Additionally, it started dredging activities in preparation for the commissioning stage of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) anchored at one of the terminals.

The milestone was achieved on August 7, when 165,000 cubic meters of LNG for the German market was delivered to the operator’s Wilhelmshaven 1 terminal, which DET believes will strengthen energy security for Germany and its European neighbors. Out of the 100 deliveries, 71 arrived at Wilhelmshaven and 29 at Brunsbüttel, the country’s other functioning LNG terminal. The two other LNG terminals the firm operates, Stade and Wilhelmshaven 2, have yet to start operation.

“Each delivery represents the hard work and coordination of our exceptional team and partners, who ensure that every shipment meets the highest standards of quality and safety. As we celebrate this achievement, we extend our gratitude to our customers and stakeholders for their continued support and trust. Together, we are not just delivering LNG; we are making an indispensable contribution to a reliable energy supply for households and industries within Germany and Europe,” said DET.

On the same date, Germany’s seaport company Niedersachsen Ports started its planned dredging work at the LNG pier in the port of Stade-Bützfleth. This is said to be standard procedure at the port to prevent ships from touching the bottom and keep them mobile even at low tide.

The pier in Stade is considered the largest waterside construction project in Germany’s ports. It took the seaport company 11 months, starting in January and ending in December 2023, to build the new structure on four hectares of water. The berth has a draft of up to 16.4 meters and the length of the quay measures a total of 1.6 kilometers.

The FSRU Energos Force anchored at the terminal will temporarily be relocated to the Outer Elbe area for the work to be carried out. After the work has been completed, the vessel will return to its berth at the Elbe port and undergo preparation for commissioning, scheduled to take place later this year. 

Formerly known as Transgas Force, the vessel was built by China’s Hudong-Zhonghua for Dynagas in 2021. Energos Infrastructure Management purchased it from Dynagas together with another FSRU at the start of 2024. The 294-meter-long FSRU has a storage capacity of 174,000 m3 and a regasification capacity of up to 750 million standard cubic feet per day of gas (mmscfd).