Germany is working flat out to convert its energy supply.
To ensure that this succeeds in record time, partners from industry, infrastructure and logistics work hand in hand.
Together with the Salzgitter AG subsidiary Mannesmann Grossrohr GmbH, DB Cargo is supplying Gasunie Deutschland with the pipes needed to connect the Brunsbuttel LNG import terminal to the north-western European gas network. To do this, almost 3,000 pipes were transported by environmentally friendly rail within a few weeks. The new connection line is also suitable for transporting hydrogen. The Brunsbuttel Elbe port is thus developing into a hub for a future-proof and sustainable energy supply. This was now celebrated with the symbolic 'final truckload' of politics and business.
The network operator Gasunie Deutschland is responsible for the construction of the approximately 55-kilometer-long energy transmission line. The pipes transported by rail are each 18 meters long, 80 centimeters in diameter and weigh around 5 tons per pipe. In time for the beginning of next winter, the pipeline should be operational and transport the gas fed in by the floating LNG terminal to the consumer centers. The entire infrastructure is 'H2-ready' - that means: In the future, green hydrogen can be landed here and efficiently piped to the hinterland. For logistics projects, the Brunsbuttel Elbehafen offers rail freight traffic an efficient siding. DB Cargo serves the port from the Itzehoe site.
Dr Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport: 'Brunsbuttel stands for a new pace in Germany like hardly any other project. Thanks to the perfect interaction of logistics, energy industry and politics, the conditions for a terminal were created here in a very short time, which contributes significantly to our independence from Russian energy imports. And that's not all: The newly created terminal and pipeline infrastructure at the Brunsbuttel port can not only be used for LNG imports and distribution, but also for hydrogen produced in a climate-neutral manner in the long term. In this way, we are already making sure that the traffic applications and requirements are also available when designing the national distribution infrastructure.'
Tobias Goldschmidt, Minister for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature of the State of Schleswig-Holstein:'The last 12 months in Brunsbuttel are a prime example of how good teamwork drives planning and construction of infrastructure. With the forthcoming connection of Brunsbuttel to the Germany-wide gas network, Schleswig-Holstein is showing once again that it is one of the guarantors of Germany's security of supply. The Brunsbuttel site has what it takes to become a major hub for green energy in Europe. All technical possibilities must now be exhausted for this. The pipes delivered are already suitable for the transport of green hydrogen and were delivered by rail in an environmentally friendly manner. That's great, because we need to get a lot more traffic onto the rails to reduce the exorbitant climate damage that the transport sector is still causing.'
Dr Sigrid Nikutta, DB Board Member for Freight Transport: 'Every chain is as strong as its links. This applies to supply chains as well as to the energy transition in Germany: hand in hand, we turn a challenge into an opportunity! Rail freight transport plays a relevant role in overall logistics. With our DB Cargo, we have already delivered thousands of large pipes quickly and on time to the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven and now in Brunsbuttel. Thanks to our innovative customers like Salzgitter AG for this joint future-oriented project.'
Jens Schumann, Managing Director of Gasunie Germany:'As a network operator, Gasunie stands for security of supply in Germany and Europe - this is particularly true at this time when there is a risk of a gas shortage that is not yet over. We can only fulfill our mission if we can rely on powerful partners. Sebastian Bross, Group Management of Salzgitter AG: 'The LNG terminals and connection lines are of fundamental importance for Germany's future energy supply. With its steel and tube products, the Salzgitter Group makes an important contribution to the development of an efficient infrastructure. This project is also a prominent example of this and it shows how important a domestic industrial base is for the functioning of an economy.'
Frank Schnabel, Managing Director of Brunsbuttel Ports GmbH: 'With the construction of an LNG import infrastructure at the port and industrial site of Brunsbuttel, we are taking an important step towards the future. The construction of the new connecting line for LNG and, in the future, also for green hydrogen represents another important milestone. It is once again evident that the trimodal Elbe port in Brunsbuttel, with its efficient siding, is making an elementary contribution to German energy supply security and the energy transition. As an energy hub of nationwide importance, it is therefore extremely important to further expand the rail connection at the Brunsbuttel site in order to promote the shift of traffic to rail.'
Contact:
Tel: +49 5341 21-01
Fax: +49 5341 21-2727
SALZGITTER AG 
