German LNG terminal operator Deutsche Energy Terminal has postponed capacity auctions for its upcoming FSRU-based facilities in Stade in Wilhelmshaven due to delays in project commissioning.
In October last year, DET allocated 60 regasification slots for 2024 at its operational Brunsbüttel and Wilhelmshaven 1 terminals and it also allocated 11 regasification slots at its upcoming FSRU-based LNG import terminal in Stade.
DET planned to hold both short-term and long-term capacity auctions for all four of its FSRU-based terminals in April 2024.
The state-owned firm said in a statement it is currently working “intensely” on the commissioning of the two new LNG terminals Stade and Wilhelmshaven 2.
“However, given the current market status and due to various delays in project commissioning we have decided to defer the anticipated April auctions of 2024 capacity,” it said.
DET said the delay in the auctions is depending on project developments in the coming weeks, and the firm will provide a status update in early April.
Once the performance of the Stade FSRU-based terminal has been tested and confirmed, the remaining slots in addition to the 15 slots already offered in December 2023 will be put up for auction, according to DET.
Also, capacity for the Wilhelmshaven 2 terminal “will only be offered once commissioning dates are more certain,” it said.
DET said the deferral of the auctions will have no influence on sold slots or long-term products.
The delivery for sold slots at Stade (STD01) should not be affected by the commissioning delays, it said.
“In conjunction with the market, DET will also continue to develop products for bookings of 2 to 3 years starting in 2025. These capacities are likely to be offered in summer this year,” DET said.
Stade FSRU arrival
DET told LNG Prime in February that it expects to deploy the Stade FSRU in mid-March.
The 174,000-cbm FSRU Energos Force, previously known as Transgas Force, recently delivered a US LNG cargo to the DET-operated FSRU-based terminal in Brunsbüttel.
After that, the unit visited Rotterdam where minor work was carried out to “convert the ship from cargo operation to FSRU operation,” DET said.
Its AIS data shows that the FSRU left Rotterdam on Wednesday and was on Thursday afternoon nearing Stade.
DET previously said that the FSRU is expected to receive the commissioning cargo in Stade.
Data by Niedersachsen Ports shows that the FSRU is expected to arrive on Friday morning.
As per the second Wilhelmshaven terminal, DET previously said that the company expects commissioning to start at this terminal at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Excelerate’s FSRU Excelsior is still located at the Navantia yard in El Ferrol, Spain.