VIDEO: MOL and Uniper unveil plan for Wilhelmshaven FSRU

FSRU will be designed to allow for the loading of small scale barges to enable the use of LNG as a marine fuel

DECEMBER 18, 2018 — Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Düsseldorf, Germany, headquartered Uniper SE have signed an agreement to step up their efforts to install an LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) in Wilhelmshaven, which is Germany’s only deep water port and can be reached without any tidal constraints.

The FSRU will be designed to allow for the loading of small scale barges to enable the use of LNG as a marine fuel. Additionally, onward transportation of LNG on trucks will be possible.

Uniper has contracted approx. 0.9 mtpa of U.S LNG exports under a 20-year supply contract.

Under the newly signed agreement, MOL would own, operate and finance the FSRU, which has a planned send-out capacity of 10 bcm/a and an LNG storage capacity of 263,000 cu.m. The facility could be in operation as early as the second half of 2022.

In addition to the agreement on the FSRU, Uniper and MOL have entered into a binding transportation agreement that will see MOL provide Uniper with shipping capacity equivalent to a 180,000 cu,m LNG carrier. The agreement will commence in December 2020.

Uniper intends to use the additional shipping capacity to optimize LNG volumes sourced from Freeport, TX, and to further leverage its expanding LNG trading activities.

Keith Martin, Chief Commercial Officer of Uniper SE, said: “We are glad that we were able to get such an experienced partner as Mitsui O.S.K. Lines on board for the development of Germany’s first LNG terminal. Our partnership with MOL combined with the FSRU technology as well as Wilhelmshaven’s uniqueness in Germany, provide the fastest and most economical way to realize LNG imports directly into Germany. This will also be to the benefit of the end-customers.”

Takeshi Hashimoto, Senior Managing Executive Officer of MOL, said: “We continue to support Uniper through our existing strong relationship and cooperation to secure Germany’s first LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven.”