Galveston LNG Bunker Port comes onboard SEA-LNG coalition

Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP), a joint venture between Seapath Group and Pilot LNG, has joined SEA-LNG, a multi-sector industry coalition promoting LNG as a marine fuel.

By becoming a SEA-LNG member, Galveston LNG Bunker Port expects to further enhance the industry coalition’s LNG supply infrastructure expertise and global reach, while gaining access to the latest LNG pathway research and networking opportunities. 

GLBP was announced in September 2023 and aims to develop, construct, and operate the U.S. Gulf Coast’s first dedicated facility supporting the fueling of LNG-powered vessels, expected to be operational in late 2026.

Recently, the project secured a lease agreement with the City of Texas City for 140 acres of land on Shoal Point in Galveston County. The final investment decision (FID) for is expected by the second half of 2024.

The project design includes a two-train and two-tank facility producing 600,000 gallons per day. The first phase of the GLBP project is expected to produce 300,000 gallons per day of LNG for sale into the marine bunker fuel market in the Galveston Bay, and Western Gulf of Mexico region.

Commenting on joining SEA-LNG and on the GLBP project, Jonathan Cook, Pilot CEO said: “With an initial investment of approximately $180 million, our LNG bunkering facility will supply a vital global and U.S. trade corridor with cleaner marine fuel. We recognize that SEA-LNG is a leading partner and a key piece of the LNG bunkering sector, and will give us access to insights and expertise across the entire LNG supply chain.

“LNG supports environmental goals and human health by offering ship operators immediate reductions in CO2 emissions and virtually eliminating harmful local emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter.”

Chairman of SEA-LNG Peter Keller added: “We’re proud to welcome another leading LNG supplier to the coalition and are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship. With every investment in supply infrastructure in the US and worldwide, the LNG pathway’s head start increases. Global availability, alongside bio-LNG and e-LNG development, makes LNG the practical and realistic route to maritime decarbonisation.

“All alternative fuels exist on a pathway from grey, fossil-based fuels to green, bio or renewable fuels. Green fuels represent a scarce resource and many have scalability issues, so we must start our net-zero journey today with grey fuels. LNG is the only grey fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, well-to-wake, so you need less green fuel than alternatives to improve emissions performance.”