Floating LNG terminal arrives at Brunsbüttel and increases German liquid gas import capacity

• “Hoegh Gannet” moors at Brunsbüttel’s Elbehafen 
• Implementation in record time thanks to intensive collaboration of all involved parties

This morning, the floating liquefied natural gas terminal “Hoegh Gannet” arrived at Brunsbüttel’s Elbehafen port near Hamburg. In the near future, liquid gas from LNG carriers can be regasified and then fed into the German gas network via this Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). The entire project was implemented in record time. Since May 2022, RWE has forged ahead on behalf of the German government to implement the project together with its partners Höegh LNG, Marine Service, Reganosa and Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH. By mid-October, the planning and approval phases were already at a stage at which construction works could be started. In addition to the participating companies, the approval authorities, who worked very rapidly and effectively, also played a key part in this success. 

RWE CEO Markus Krebber: “Floating LNG terminals enable the import of gas and thus strengthen Germany’s security of supply. The strong energy dependence of our country on Russian pipeline gas will end with the deployment of the special vessels. The high speed at which the project in Brunsbüttel was jointly driven forward by all involved parties sets standards for the further modernisation of our energy supply. This will also be necessary to ensure that Germany as an industrial location becomes climate-neutral as soon as possible.”

Höegh LNG President & CEO Erik Nyheim: “Höegh LNG is honored to be a partner to the Brunsbüttel LNG import terminal project, a project which aligns with our belief that floating LNG infrastructure is the key to solving the current energy crisis. As a partner, we are dedicated to collaborating with RWE and the other partners to successfully commission and operate the floating storage and regasification unit Hoegh Gannet.”

Marine Service GmbH Chairman Christian Krämer: “We as a consultancy company specialised in LNG are pleased that we were able to contribute to the opening of the floating LNG terminal in the Elbehafen in Brunsbüttel in such a short time. This makes a significant contribution to securing Germany’s energy supply and making it more independent for the future.”

Reganosa CEO Emilio Bruquetas: “We are very proud to be able to contribute our knowledge and experience to this project, which requires us to be both agile and reliable. We are pleased to collaborate with RWE and the other partners in this challenge of increasing Germany’s energy autonomy. We are used to working in collaborative ecosystems; cooperation is key to providing Europe with security of supply, especially in the current turbulent scenario.”

Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH Managing Director Frank Schnabel: “Ten years of preparatory work now culminate in the implementation of this project. As the owner and operator of Brunsbüttel’s Elbehafen, we are delighted to welcome the FSRU in our port today. With its three ports in Brunsbüttel, the port and industrial site of Brunsbüttel is not only a universal freight hub, but also an important energy hub for the entire Federal Republic. With the establishment of a versatile and independent energy import infrastructure for LNG and green energy sources this, Brunsbüttel now has a key role to play in Germany’s future security of supply.” 

Following the arrival of the FSRU, a several-week phase of commissioning and trial operations will now begin, during which the vessel will leave its pier again temporarily. The trial operations will include connection to the newly built gas pipeline so that first gas volumes can be fed into the German gas network from the beginning of February. The gas volume will increase continuously as further technical components from the new technical infrastructure and warm water supply installed in the past few months are added.

The special vessel will initially operate at an existing berth in the Elbehafen of Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH. From about the end of 2023, the FSRU will be moved to a new jetty to the west of the Elbehafen. This new jetty will be built and operated by Brunsbüttel Ports.

International specialist company Reganosa will take over the operation and maintenance of the new land-based infrastructure. Owner Höegh LNG will operate the vessel. Marine Service GmbH supports the project with technical know-how as a development partner for the terminal design. The heat required for the regasification process on the FSRU will be provided by Covestro Industriepark Brunsbüttel in the form of warm process water. For this purpose Covestro very quickly laid a new warm water pipeline to the Brunsbüttel Elbehafen port.

Together with Uniper and EnBW, RWE is responsible for filling the FSRU with liquefied natural gas. According to current plans, the first LNG cargo will arrive at Brunsbüttel at the end of January 2023 and be unloaded into the FRSU. The cargo from ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) will be shipped from the island of Das, which belongs to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

As a centre of technology and industry, Brunsbüttel is an important location, also for future imports of green molecules. In the immediate vicinity, RWE wants to build an import terminal for green ammonia, which – as a liquefied hydrogen derivative – can make an important contribution towards supplying Germany with green hydrogen. From 2026, around 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia is to be imported and distributed to customers annually via the terminal. German LNG Terminal GmbH plans to build and operate a multi-functional LNG terminal very close by. As a shareholder, RWE supports a subsequent conversion of the terminal to the import of green molecules. 

Höegh LNG
Höegh LNG is a pioneer within maritime energy infrastructure, providing fast-track floating LNG terminals to facilitate for national and regional energy security around the world. The flexibility provided by floating terminal solutions also supports the transition to clean, carbon-free energy. We are a leading innovator, owner and operator of Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) and LNG carriers (LNGCs). Both are critical to energy security, and a foundation for future technologies and infrastructure for decarbonisation of global energy systems. For over 50 years, we have connected energy producers and end-users via safe and reliable access to critical and cost competitive LNG infrastructure. FSRUs are strategic assets that provide countries and energy companies with rapid, flexible and cost-efficient access to the global LNG market. Today, half of our capacity is deployed in Europe. Technical and commercial innovation in addition to operational excellence and a competent and purpose-built organisation have made us a leader within the expanding LNG import terminal market. These factors will remain the foundation for long-term value creation and future growth, also within clean energy infrastructure solutions.

ReganosaReganosa is a Spanish energy multinational. In accordance with the principles of safety, efficiency and flexibility, it develops a key activity in the transformation of the energy model and in the mitigation of the effects of climate change. It operates basic assets for security of supply in Europe and Africa, is a world leader in the management of third party liquefied natural gas terminals and owns its own in Galicia (Spain), where its pipeline network also starts. It is certified as a transmission system operator and in the last years has tripled its workforce, as well as has provided services of various types in more than 20 countries on four continents. Currently, in addition, it develops projects of circular economy, renewables, green hydrogen, energy storage and digitalization.

Marine Service GmbHHamburg-based Marine Service GmbH is part of the family-owned Krämer Group, which also includes the shipping company Chemikalien Seetransport. Founded in 1958 as a marine engineering and consultancy company for the development, design, plan approval and construction supervision of seagoing vessels, especially LNG carriers, Marine Service offers today a wide range of products and services. It is one of the market leaders in LNG technology and offers engineering and consultancy services for LNG/LPG carriers, FSRUs, LNG bunker ships and other vessels as well as converter platforms for offshore wind farms. Additionally, Marine Service designs, develops and commissions its own turn-key LNG Fuel Gas Supply Systems for cruise vessels and other ships. It is already installed on board eight cruise vessel newbuildings until today. Marine Service is also pioneering in the development of alternative fuel and propulsion technologies.

Marine Service GmbHBrunsbüttel Ports GmbH is private owner and operator of three ports in Brunsbüttel (Elbehafen, Ölhafen and Hafen Ostermoor). Representing 17 ports and maritime logistics terminals in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Sweden, SCHRAMM Ports & Logistics is a universal contact for all maritime logistics services. Located at the intersection of the Elbe River and the Kiel Canal, the three ports of Brunsbüttel are essential cargo handling hubs for the ChemCoast Park Brunsbüttel, the largest contiguous industrial area in Schleswig-Holstein, and in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. As a flexible multi-purpose port, Brunsbüttel is ideally suited for the handling and storage of a wide range of bulk, liquid, general cargo and heavy goods. In addition, the port location of Brunsbüttel has developed into a pioneer for LNG bunkering on the German North Sea coast in recent years. With plans for numerous energy-related projects of great significance for the nationwide security of supply, the Elbehafen in Brunsbüttel is currently positioning itself as the leading import port for LNG and green energy sources.

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