GAC Germany, a leading provider of
shipping and logistics services in Northern Europe, is set to open a new office
in Stade on 1 January 2024 as the company looks 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
ocean-going 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.
With the launch of the new office, GAC
Germany will be strategically positioned to serve both existing dry bulk
customers, liquid bulk customers and future gas carrier clients at Stade,
offering a range of ship agency and logistics services. GAC’s office in Stade will be run by Ronald Kleinitzke, a shipping
industry veteran of more than 20 years of experience who has a wealth of
knowledge of Stade, the local region and surrounding ports.
“With the growth of LNG infrastructure
progressing apace in Germany, it is strategically imperative for us to be
present in Stade,†says Thies Holm, General Manager of GAC Germany…“We are
committed to supporting our ship owner and ship management customers wherever
they go. With significantly more vessels set to call at Stade and the
surrounding area, we will now be better placed to serve them in true GAC
style,†he added.
Germany has made significant progress to
bolster its LNG capacity in 2023 as it looks to become more energy
independent.The Hanseatic Energy Hub is one of the country’s main future LNG
terminals. The facility is expected to cost approximately €1 billion (US$1.1
billion) and is set to commence operations in 2027. The hub is designed to secure 15% 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.
Strategically located at the Port of Stade, the
Hanseatic Energy 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,
Brunsbuettel and Lubmin to handle incoming LNG supplies.