LNG Tanker Incident Raises Fresh Concerns Over Germany's Import Practices

On the morning of May 22,a Norwegian LNG tanker named Iberica Knutsen found itself briefly grounded near the German port of Murkan. Although the ship quickly regained it’s footing, environmental advocates seized on this incident too voice concerns about Germany’s LNG import facilities. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany hastily established floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) to diversify its gas sources, particularly from the U.S.

This vessel, launched in 2006 and operated by Knutsen Group, was en route from Sabine Pass in Texas with a load of natural gas. With a capacity for 138,000 cubic meters and measuring 909 feet (277 meters) long with an operating draft of 37 feet (11.4 meters), it’s considered standard for its class.

A local resident recounted his experience to Berliner Zeitung: “I was brewing my morning coffee around six when I noticed that the tanker seemed out of place and moving oddly.” His instincts kicked in as he suspected it might be stuck.

Over the next hour, he observed three tugboats working diligently to free the stranded LNG tanker while german water police arrived on-site. After some effort, they managed to guide it into nearby anchorage where it remains under examination until a thorough hull survey is conducted.

While this incident may seem minor at first glance, it has reignited debates over Germany’s reliance on LNG imports. Critics argue that these terminals were hastily constructed as part of an urgent response against Russian energy dependency. The Murkan terminal is notably situated close to Rügen Island—a popular tourist destination—and stands out as Deutsche ReGas’s only privately developed facility.

Sascha Müller-Kraenner from DUH (German Environmental Aid) stated: “This event highlights significant safety concerns regarding operations at Rügen.We’ve been vocal about these risks for some time now.” He called for an immediate halt on further deliveries until an autonomous safety review can be conducted at this site.

Doubts linger over whether this terminal is even necessary; reports indicate it’s currently operating at just five percent capacity. Deutsche ReGas attributes part of their struggles to competition from state-backed terminals which have overshadowed their operations leading them to scale back activities substantially.

Despite these challenges, Germany still requires robust import capabilities following its shift away from Russian pipeline gas supplies.The country has successfully stockpile natural gas—especially imports from America—to meet winter heating demands while committing itself publicly to end reliance on russian energy sources altogether; thus making FSRU terminals crucial for future energy security.