Operations at Germany’s largest floating LNG import terminal at Mukran have restarted following a successful icebreaking campaign. Heavy sea ice in the Baltic Sea had blocked the approach channel for weeks, disrupting logistics and gas flows.
Vessel Movements Restored The reopening of the channel allowed the LNG carrier Maran Gas Nice (174,295 cbm) to depart Mukran on February 11, ending a delay that began in late January.
- Incoming Traffic: The Minerva Amorgos (174,000 cbm), waiting offshore since February 3, is expected to berth as soon as conditions permit safe escort.
Initial clearing efforts were led by the federal multipurpose vessel Neuwerk. However, the Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) reported that the vessel suffered a technical defect reportedly a loss of engine power and had to return to Rostock for inspection.
- Following the malfunction, the chartered tug VB Bremen Fighter took over ice-clearing duties.
- Satellite imagery confirmed thick ice covering the bay of Prorer Wiek, with thickness exceeding 30 cm and wind-driven ridges reaching nearly one meter.
Operated by Deutsche ReGas using the FSRU Neptune, Mukran has become a critical node in Germany’s post-Russian gas strategy. In the three months prior to the freeze, the facility handled approximately 12.9 TWh of gas equivalent. February volumes are expected to be significantly lower due to the interruption.