State-owned German LNG terminal operator DET expects to launch its second FSRU-based LNG import terminal in Wilhelmshaven in the second half of this year. DET also awarded a contract for the technical operation and maintenance of the terminal to Lithuania’s KN Energies.
DET currently operates the first Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal which features the 170,000-cbm Hoegh Esperanza and the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel which features the 170,000-cbm Hoegh Gannet. This FSRU will move to a new dedicated jetty in the port.
Besides this two FSRU-based LNG terminal, DET is working to commission the Stade FSRU-based facility.
In March, the 174,000-cbm FSRU Energos Force arrived at the AVG jetty in Germany’s Stade and is yet to receive a commissioning cargo.
A spokesman for DET told LNG Prime that there is still work that must be carried out on the terminal before DET can begin commissioning of the facility.
In the meantime, construction is progressing at the site of the second Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal.
DET said in a statment issued on Friday that work on the construction of the new jetty for the Wilhelmshaven 2 terminal is “progressing at full speed”.
Unlike the three other three FSRU-based terminals, the jetty for the second Wilhelmshaven LNG terminals is located some 1.5 kilometers offshore Wilhelmshaven.
“Commissioning is expected in the second half of 2024,” DET said.
DET previously expected to start commissioning at the facility with a capacity of about 4 bcm per year in the second quarter of this year.
Excelerate’s FSRU Excelsior arrived at the Navantia yard in El Ferrol, Spain for a planned stopover prior to its job in Wilhelmshaven.
In October 2022, US FSRU owner Excelerate signed a charter deal with the German government for the 2005-built 138,000-cbm FSRU.
KN Energies
DET also said the business structure for the future operation of its LNG terminal Wilhelmshaven 2 is complete.
Following the conclusion of the tendering process, the company contracted KN Energies with the tasks of technical operation and maintenance on May 3.
KN is already active in commercial management at the four DET sites in Brunsbüttel, Stade, and Wilhelmshaven 1 and 2, while DET is responsible for the overall operational management.
In January this year, KN secured the public tender for the commercial management of the LNG terminals and the contract started on January 10.
Prior to that, KN already provided management services for the Wilhelmshaven 1 and Brunsbüttel LNG terminals, but after DET took over the management of these facilities, a new tender was launched for the consolidated commercial management of four LNG terminals.