First LNG shipment arrives at German terminal

Uniper said it has delivered Germany’s first full cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the new LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven.

The LNG ship Maria Energy, owned by Tsakos Energy Navigation, was loaded in Calcasieu Pass, USA, at the liquefaction facility of the LNG supplier Venture Global Calcasieu Pass, on Dec. 19, 2022.

The Maria Energy is fully loaded with approx. 170 000 cubic meters LNG – enough to supply around 50 000 German households with energy for one year.

The first tanker bringing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a German floating import terminal reached the North Sea of Wilhelmshaven, Uniper reports. (Image: Uniper).

The LNG cargo delivered on board of the Maria Energy forms part of the commissioning process at the Wilhelmshaven terminal. Commercial operations of the Wilhelmshaven terminal are expected to start in mid-January 2023.

The Uniper LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven was opened on Dec. 17, 2022. Via the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Höegh Esperanza, about five billion cubic meters of natural gas can be landed in Germany per year.

“The successful delivery of the first full LNG cargo to the Uniper terminal in Wilhelmshaven is a testament to the strong partnership between Uniper, Venture Global, and Tsakos Energy Navigation,” said Niek den Hollander, Uniper CCO. “The use of LNG as a reliable energy source is crucial for the Security of Supply for Germany and Europe. We are committed to contribute our part by bringing more LNG to the European market and especially Germany via the Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel Regas Terminals.”

Venture Global’s first facility, Calcasieu Pass, commenced producing LNG in January 2022. The company is also constructing or developing an additional 60 MTPA of production capacity in Louisiana. The company is developing Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) projects at each of its LNG facilities.

Düsseldorf-based Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. Uniper’s core businesses are power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio. Uniper procures gas – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters. Uniper plans for its 22.5 GW of installed power-generating capacity in Europe to be carbon-neutral by 2035.