Quantity, transport, terminals: Ministry: LNG supplies are secured

When economists and shipowners doubted that there were enough ships to deliver enough liquefied gas, the Ministry of Economics responded in a soothing manner: the delivery and transport of LNG are secured - and the planned terminals would also be sufficient.

Quantity, transport, terminals: Ministry: LNG supplies are secured

When economists and shipowners doubted that there were enough ships to deliver enough liquefied gas, the Ministry of Economics responded in a soothing manner: the delivery and transport of LNG are secured - and the planned terminals would also be sufficient.

The Federal Ministry of Economics has dampened fears that ship capacities for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) might not be sufficient in the coming months. Information from the exchange with international gas traders suggested that "the LNG deliveries, including the necessary transports to Germany and to LNG landing terminals in neighboring EU countries, are secured".

The "Bild" newspaper, citing assessments by shipowners and economists, had reported that there were doubts as to whether the necessary volume of deliveries would be guaranteed. Because Germany does not have its own gas tankers that are suitable for long distances. In addition, there are contractual obligations for the existing ships with other countries.

From the department of Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck it says: "It is not important that the tankers are German, because it is an international market." Contractually unbound LNG is also currently arriving. This is from short-term purchases.

The raw material is intended to replace pipeline gas and thus reduce dependence on Russian energy. A stop to deliveries from Russia is also considered possible. With a view to concerns that the planned German terminals might also not be sufficient, the ministry emphasized: "The use in Wilhelmshaven is planned for the end of the year, in Brunsbüttel from the beginning of 2023."

In total, the federal government has already chartered four initially floating LNG systems. The Düsseldorf-based energy group Uniper has now received approval for its construction work on the first.