Germany commissions Wilhelmshaven’s second terminal after Greek LNG carrier delivery

State-owned Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET) noted the Wilhelmshaven-2 LNG terminal was connected to the grid in around two and a half years – including planning and approval.

This marks DET’s third floating LNG import terminal and the second located in Wilhelmshaven. According to data from Kpler, Energy Endurance, a 2024-built LNG carrier owned by Anna Angelicoussis-led Alpha Gas, delivered the commissioning cargo on 16 May. The shipment comprised 74,520 tonnes of US LNG, regasified aboard 138,000-m³ FSRU Excelsior, which had arrived at Wilhelmshaven on 28 April.

DET emphasised the terminal is “unique in Germany and Europe in several respects.” The island jetty, located approximately 1.5 km from the mainland, is positioned in one of the strongest currents in Europe. To minimise environmental impact, data, electricity and the natural gas pipelines are laid in the seabed connecting to a head station onshore.

ECOnnect’s innovative jettyless system enables the subsea transfer of natural gas from the offshore terminal.

Beginning in 2025, Excelsior is expected to feed up to 1.9Bn m³ of natural gas into the German grid – equivalent to the annual heating needs of around 1.5M homes.

’Diversification, stability, resilience’

“The opening of the second LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven is an important step towards greater security of supply, diversification of energy sources and the resilience of our country,” said Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche.

DET managing director Peter Röttgen added, “Alongside pipeline natural gas, LNG is making a significant contribution to our stability in Germany and Europe on the road to climate neutrality.”

DET is now responsible for three terminals: one in Brunsbüttel and two in Wilhelmshaven. The country’s first operational FSRU, Höegh Esperanza, came online in December 2022 in Wilhelmshaven. The second, Höegh Gannet, began operations the following year in Brunsbüttel.