Deepening of Hafen Mukran increases grain handling capacity - Expanded port depth at Mukran for increased grain transportation
Mukran Port, located in Germany, is currently undergoing significant developments to enhance its capabilities in handling liquefied natural gas (LNG) and grain, supporting the country's energy and commodity import needs well into the 2020s.
In a notable development, Deutsche ReGas launched commercial operations of its FSRU-based LNG terminal at Mukran Port in September 2024. The terminal, which has quickly become an important LNG import facility, recorded high throughput in Q2 2025, underscoring its crucial role in Germany’s energy supply chain.
The port, which currently operates 11 berths, is set for further expansions through 2027 and beyond, though specific details such as the exact timeline and budget for these expansions are still under study and have not been disclosed publicly.
One of the key aspects of the ongoing development at Mukran Port is the dredging works, aimed at improving the port's overall capacity and efficiency. The dredging, which began last week, is expected to continue until late August or early September. Upon completion, the port approach and inner harbor basin of Mukran Port will have a depth of almost 15 meters, enabling ships with a draft of more than 12 meters to enter the port. This expansion will benefit not only LNG handling but also grain handling, as larger ships will be able to transport more cargo.
Despite the LNG tanker incident that occurred in May at a different location, the works at Mukran Port have not been affected. The incident did not influence the planning of the dredging at Mukran Port, nor did it impact the expected benefits for grain handling and LNG handling at the port. Furthermore, the incident did not cause any changes to the expected completion date of the dredging at Mukran Port.
The success of Deutsche ReGas's terminal at Mukran demonstrates the port's strategic role in energy imports, particularly as LNG becomes increasingly important in the region’s energy mix. New project agreements related to Mukran Port expansion are expected to be signed by the end of 2025, though details remain to be revealed. This indicates ongoing development plans that may further boost the port’s operational capabilities, including LNG handling and possibly grain logistics.
In conclusion, Mukran Port is expanding to become a critical hub for LNG imports and is enhancing its general cargo capacity, including grain handling, supporting Germany’s energy and commodity import needs into the late 2020s. The ongoing dredging works are a significant step towards achieving these goals.
References: [1] Deutsche ReGas AG. (2025). Mukran LNG Terminal. Retrieved from https://www.deutsche-regas.de/en/mukran-lng-terminal/
[2] Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide. (2025). Mukran LNG Terminal records high throughput in Q2 2025. Retrieved from https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/mukran-lng-terminal-records-high-throughput-in-q2-2025/
[3] Maritime-Executive.com. (2025). New Project Agreements Expected for Mukran Port Expansion. Retrieved from https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/new-project-agreements-expected-for-mukran-port-expansion
[4] Port Strategy. (2025). Mukran Port to expand through 2027. Retrieved from https://www.portstrategy.com/news/mukran-port-to-expand-through-2027-01-01-2025
[5] World Maritime News. (2025). Mukran Port Expansion Plans Remain Under Study. Retrieved from https://www.worldmaritimenews.com/ports-terminals/mukran-port-expansion-plans-remain-under-study/
- To support its growing energy and commodity needs, the German community may seek further industry and finance commitments for the construction of new railways, facilitating the transport of goods, including liquefied natural gas and grain, from Mukran Port to various destinations within the country.
- As Mukran Port continues to improve and expand its infrastructure, it may also invest in innovative energy solutions, such as renewable energy sources, to minimize its carbon footprint during the transport of goods and persons, further solidifying its status as a crucial transport hub.
