STORY: The “Höegh Esperanza” is docked and ready for the starting gun in front of Wilhelmshaven. The special ship, a so-called “Floating Storage and Regasification Unit”, with which delivered liquid gas can be converted back into the gaseous state, is the central element of Germany’s first LNG terminal. It will be inaugurated on Saturday. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck are also expected to attend the ceremony. The day before, however, locals and tourists first took a look at the floating LNG terminal from the quay of the Hooksiel outer harbor – with mixed feelings. Chlorine is used in Wilhelmshaven to keep the pipes of the special ship free of mussels and algae. Environmentalists warn of unclear consequences for life in the Wadden Sea, even if, according to the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment, all limit values should be observed. O-TON RESIDENT WERNER LÜDERS: “Yes, I actually see the mood in two parts. Let’s start with the advantages: Of course we need LNG as a temporary solution. We have an energy problem and that is at least a drop in the bucket and helps us further . The disadvantages? Well, there is a lot of talk about the problems that this ship has with cleaning its pipelines. The topic of chlorinated water and the introduction of this chlorinated water into the Jade has often been quoted enough.” O-TON TOURIST DIETER ROHGOLL: “Yes, well that wouldn’t make sense if chlorine or chlorine residues get into the jade. It used to be very clean water. And the fish that we then eat are always very tasted good and I hope it stays that way.” O-TON TOURISTIN BÄRBEL ROHGOLL: “For years we made ourselves dependent on everything, now not just gas and oil and various things. So you have to use all the opportunities you have.” LNG plays an important role in efforts to make Germany independent of Russian gas supplies. The federal government has rented a total of five of these floating facilities. The private consortium Deutsche ReGas has also chartered an LNG ship for Lubmin on the Baltic Sea.