Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH neither buys nor sells LNG. Instead, on behalf of the German federal government, it provides market participants with infrastructure that allows DET to temporarily store LNG delivered by tanker, regasify it and feed it into the German natural gas grid. The transparent and non-discriminatory allocation of these DET services (terminal capacities) is one of the core tasks of the federally owned company.

DET markets these capacities regularly in public auctions. The product DET sells is called a "slot". A slot covers a time window of usually two days during which an LNG tanker berths and unloads. The transferred liquefied natural gas is then regasified and fed into the gas grid over several days.

Customers include international trading houses, large energy suppliers and industrial companies with correspondingly high demand. Anyone wishing to bring LNG to Germany must secure a slot in advance in order to gain access to the terminal infrastructure. Only with a booked slot can a tanker berth at the respective DET terminal, unload and have the gas fed into the grid.

The structure of the auctions and the design of the products offered are closely coordinated with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) and the European Commission. The procedures comply with applicable law and are subject to clear regulation. This ensures that all market participants can take part under fair and transparent conditions.

DET attaches delivery obligations to some of the slots. Those who book such slots commit to delivering LNG at the agreed time. If the obligation is not met, a contractually defined penalty must be paid. These slots secure the base-load utilisation of the terminals, which is an important factor for the technical operation of the facilities. In addition, in line with international practice, DET also awards slots without a delivery obligation and maintains a limited reserve capacity for potential supply shortages.