Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plays a key role in the plans of Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) to reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies as quickly as possible.

According to Habeck, the federal government has secured access to “three floating LNG terminals that the companies RWE and Uniper have optioned on behalf of the federal government”.

In industry circles, it was said that it was not yet certain whether it would actually be possible to get three floating terminals in the end. It might just end up being two.

Floating LNG terminals, known in technical jargon as Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU), are in great demand. According to industry information, there are currently 48 operational FSRUs worldwide, but most of them are contractually bound.

“A maximum of two ships can be organized at short notice,” said an industry insider. It may also be possible to access ships that are about to be completed.