German LNG Terminal GmbH, the joint venture driving forward Germany’s first LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, has reached another long-term commercial capacity agreement with a global LNG player. The parties agreed on the commitment of a substantial part of the terminal capacity. Negotiations with other interested parties are ongoing. As a result of strong market demand, German LNG Terminal will apply for permits with a total terminal capacity of 8 bcma.

Rolf Brouwer, Managing Director of German LNG Terminal GmbH, comments:
”German LNG Terminal is strongly moving forward. This additional commercial agreement demonstrates that the market has confidence in the prospects of LNG in Germany. The added value of the proposed multi-services terminal we offer to the market has been recognised and adopted by the global LNG community. The German federal government has clearly recognised the benefits of LNG and, accordingly, has stipulated in its coalition treaty to develop LNG infrastructure in Germany.”

Preparations for the terminal’s permitting approval process are well under way: a “scoping meeting”, organised and chaired by the approving authorities, took place at the end of January. At this meeting approving authorities, environmental organisations, experts and further relevant third parties discussed with German LNG Terminal the subject, scope and method of the necessary environmental impact assessment with regard to water and emissions legislation as part of the overall planning approval process. Obtaining construction approval for the planned LNG terminal is one of the conditions for being able to make the final investment decision in late 2019. Construction work will then start in 2020 with the terminal being fully operational by the end of 2022.

About the German LNG Terminal GmbH

The German LNG Terminal GmbH is a joint venture of the Dutch companies Gasunie LNG Holding B.V. and Vopak LNG Holding B.V. as well as Oiltanking GmbH, a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls AG, Hamburg. The aim of German LNG Terminal GmbH is to develop, build, own and operate a multifunctional LNG import terminal in northern Germany. The terminal will contribute to energy diversification in Germany and will support the introduction of LNG as a cleaner fuel alternative in maritime and road transport, lowering the environmental impact of both shipping and heavy goods vehicles transport. The terminal will combine a variety services such as unloading and loading of LNG ships, temporary storage of LNG, regasification and send out into the German natural gas network and LNG distribution by trucks.

About Oiltanking

Oiltanking GmbH is a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls, a Hamburg-based family-owned company that operates in the fields of energy supply, trading and logistics. Oiltanking is one of the largest independent tank storage providers for petroleum products, chemicals and gases worldwide. The company owns and operates 81 terminals in 25 countries within Europe, North and South America, Middle East, Africa, India as well as in Asia. Oiltanking has an overall storage capacity of 21 million cbm.

About Gasunie

Gasunie is a European gas infrastructure company. The company provides the transport of natural gas and green gas via its subsidiaries Gasunie Transport Services B.V. (GTS) in the Netherlands and Gasunie Deutschland in Germany. The company also offers other services in the gas infrastructure field, including gas storage and LNG.

About Vopak

Royal Vopak is the world's leading independent tank storage company. Vopak operates a global network of terminals located at strategic locations along major trade routes. With a 400-year history and a strong focus on safety and sustainability, Vopak ensures efficient, safe and clean storage and handling of bulk liquid products and gases for its customers. By doing so, Vopak enables the delivery of products that are vital to our economy and daily lives, ranging from oil, chemicals, gases and LNG to biofuels and vegoils. Vopak is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Including its joint ventures and associates, Vopak employs an international workforce of over 5,500 people. As of 12 December 2017, Vopak operates 66 terminals in 25 countries with a combined storage capacity of 35.9 million cbm, with another 3.2 million cbm under development, to be added before the end of 2019.