The German energy market, which was earlier dominated by Russia, is now under control of the US and suppliers from the Middle East. The beginning of the new year saw the first tanker with US liquefied natural gas (LNG) arrive in the German port of Wilhelmshaven.

While Russia now desperately looking to sell its gas to new buyers at a big discount, US suppliers are taking advantage of the situation. The price of the commodity decreased significantly but remains quite high, leaving a window of opportunity for the US. The first tanker arrived in Germany on January 4, escorted by the German water police, and moored at the newly opened LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven. German energy company RWE has signed a deal with US-based firm Sempra Infrastructure to buy 2.25 million tons of American LNG per year.

The liquefied natural gas will be transferred from the ship to a floating terminal, where it will be regasified and then fed into the pipeline network. Germany's first liquefied natural gas terminal was launched in Wilhelmshaven on 17 December. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck, and Finance Minister Christian Lindner took part in the opening ceremony.