Shipping and logistics services provider GAC Germany opened a new office in Stade on 1 January 1, 2024.
The company said that the move should help to expand its presence in the region to meet growing demand for services to support Germany’s shipping and energy sectors. With direct access to the North Sea, the port of Stade is the third-largest port in Niedersachsen by cargo handling volume and is situated on the River Elbe, between Hamburg – the home of GAC Germany’s main office – and Cuxhaven. Due to its non-tidal access for oceangoing vessels, it has long been a popular port of choice for dry bulk, barge and general cargo vessels, handling 1,000 port calls and 5.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
The port is also set to play a major role in Germany’s quest to increase LNG import capacity as it is positioned to serve the Hanseatic Energy Hub, a future-flexible LNG terminal that is currently under development. The office will serve primarily existing dry bulk customers, liquid bulk customers and future gas carrier clients at Stade.
The Hanseatic Energy Hub is one of Germany’s main future LNG terminals. The facility is expected to cost approximately EUR1 billion (USD1.1 billion) and is set to commence operations in 2027. The hub is designed to secure 15 percent of Germany’s existing LNG demand, as well as handle other low-carbon energy sources, and support its green energy transition, enabling the development of hydrogen production. The hub will also include a storage facility, a truck-loading facility and a jetty for bunkering vessels.
Until the fixed terminals are operational, Germany is using three floating storage and regasification terminals (FSRUs) at the ports of Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbüttel and Lubmin to handle incoming LNG supplies.
