Germany’s Third LNG Terminal Drawing Closer to Startup

A floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), named Excelsior, has arrived in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, to become part of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by Deutsche Energy Terminal (DET). The FSRU reached its designated island pier in the Jade River near Wilhelmshaven on April 28, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Wilhelmshaven 2 terminal. The terminal is scheduled to be connected to the gas grid and undergo extensive testing in the upcoming weeks before becoming operational.

The terminal, designed as an island jetty, is located about 1.5 kilometers offshore, approximately two kilometers south of the already operational Wilhelmshaven 1 terminal, which began service in December 2022. This marks DET’s third operational terminal in Germany, alongside Brunsbüttel, with a fourth terminal under construction in Stade.

The Wilhelmshaven 2 terminal is expected to play a key role in securing energy supplies and stabilizing gas prices in Germany and Europe. It has a planned annual capacity of up to 4.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which will help enhance the resilience of energy supplies in the region.

Dr. Peter Röttgen, Managing Director of DET, commented: “The arrival of the Excelsior is another milestone towards the completion of the Wilhelmshaven 02 terminal, and thus for security of supply and stabilization of gas prices in Germany and Europe. This winter, we saw how quickly German natural gas storage facilities are depleting. The discontinuation of pipeline-based gas deliveries via Ukraine at the turn of the year put our European neighbors under pressure.”

The Excelsior, owned by Excelerate Energy, is a 277-meter-long vessel with a storage capacity of 138,000 cubic meters and a regasification capacity of up to 500 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd). It is under a five-year charter contract with DET, supporting the expansion of Wilhelmshaven’s first terminal.

The vessel will be connected to the German natural gas grid through the second Wilhelmshaven connecting pipeline (WAL II), operated by Open Grid Europe (OGE). By 2025, the FSRU is expected to supply up to 1.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas to the German grid.

A specially constructed island pier, built by Engie and Tree Energy Solutions (TES), was also inaugurated. This steel structure is unique in Germany for its engineering, as it has no physical connection to the dike located 1.5 kilometers away. The pier is connected to the onshore transfer station through subsea pipelines.

ECOnnect Energy was responsible for delivering the jettyless ready IQuay solution for the offshore jetty.