VTG loads LNG tank car for first time in German port

VTG Aktiengesellschaft has announced that it has, for the first time, loaded an LNG tank car with LNG at Brunsbüttel Ports' Elbe port in Germany. The operation was carried out cooperation with Chart Ferox a.s., which built the car’s tank, and Primagas Energy GmbH & Co. KG.

Over 80 m³ of LNG was loaded from two Primagas LNG trucks into the wagons. The Head of the VTG Rail Europe business segment, Sven Wellbrock, said: “With a volume of some 111 m³, the LNG tank car can carry approximately 95 – 100 m³ of product. […] Per wagon, this corresponds to an energy value of about 600 000 kWh."

Norbert Brackmann, a Member of the Germany Parliament, added: “We need LNG in Germany's energy mix, not only to be able to guarantee an independent energy supply, but also one which is stable and takes the environment into account.

"I'm delighted that the companies here today are innovative and are showing the desire to invest in the future, setting a good example to others."

Frank Schnabel, the Managing Director of the Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH/SCHRAMM Group, said: “We would like to position ourselves as a leading LNG location in Germany and, in Brunsbüttel, the various potential uses of the substance can be brought together in an ideal manner. These are, namely, sea-faring vessel bunkering at the heavily used Elbe/Northern Baltic Sea canal intersection, the high gas requirements of regional industrial companies in the Brunsbüttel ChemCoast Park and in Hamburg and the possibility of distributing LNG further by rail in cooperation with VTG, as well as regasification and feeding into the pipeline network. In addition, Brunsbüttel has many years of experience in handling hazardous materials, such as, for example, LPG and the ideal nautical conditions at the Elbe port are in place. These are all reasons why we are convinced that Brunsbüttel is the most suitable location for an LNG import terminal in Germany.

“An LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel would be an investment both in and for the Hamburg metropolitan area and the Lower Elbe region. It is, therefore, considered a comprehensive project for this economic area. We are currently carrying out intensive discussions with potential investors and clients, as well as on a political level.”

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/26042016/vtg-loads-lng-tank-car-for-first-time-in-german-port-2358/