Connect with us
DNV Decarbonization Insight Series August 2026 - What maritime professionals should know about AI Training

LNG Bunkering

LATEST: South Korea to ‘revitalise’ LNG-fuelled shipbuilding sector

Intends to establish a cooperative system to share LNG policy know-how with Singapore.

Admin

Published

on

5afd1954adb81 1526536532

The South Korean government held a "7th Ministerial Meeting on Economic Relations" at the Seoul Metropolitan Government Building at 7:00 am on Thursday (17 May) to introduce plans to revitalise the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related shipbuilding industry, says the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

It noted the International Maritime Organization (IMO) planning to introduce a sulphur cap of 0.5% for marine fuels from 2020 and expects the number of vessels using LNG as a bunker fuel to “increase significantly”.

Delegates were briefed that LNG-powered vessels are priced at about 20% higher than those of existing vessels, and domestic LNG fuel supply of bunkering systems in South Korea are also lacking.

However, countries such as Europe, China, and Singapore are paying attention to LNG-powered vessels as future growth engines and are making “quick progress” on the LNG bunkering front.

Accordingly, the government intends to introduce plans to revitalise the LNG-related shipbuilding industry for the construction of LNG fuelled vessels.

“In the private sector, we will also promote the first domestic LNG-powered offshore vessel to be ordered by August this year,” it states.

“Currently under review, two 200,000-ton bulk carriers are scheduled to operate on Korean and Australian routes.

“In addition, we will support business feasibility studies and international cooperation in order to facilitate the pilot project of introducing LNG-powered vessels under consideration by major ship owners such as POSCO and Southeast Power. 

“A pilot project to convert LNG carriers will also be launched next year for towing ships with large dust emissions.”

Meanwhile, the government intends to revise relevant laws and regulations such as the Urban Gas Business Act and the Port Transport Business Act, while introducing LNG bunkering operation technology and worker safety training schemes, to create a base for building the domestic LNG bunkering market.

A mid- and long-term roadmap will also be drawn up to build a LNG bunkering infrastructure (considering LNG fuel demand and harbour conditions) and LNG bunkering facilities at major ports such as Busan Port and Ulsan Port. 

“We will also build a foundation for LNG bunkering technology. To this end, we will develop 'LNG bunkering system customized for coastal vessels' that is suitable for domestic small-sized coastal bunker bunkering,” notes the government.

“In addition, it will support localisation development of LNG bunker equipment such as pumps, cryogenic hoses, etc., and establish LNG bunker equipment test evaluation and certification system to support commercialisation after technology development.”

Moving forward, the government says it will “actively participate” in discussions on the revision of the IGF Code related to the LNG-powered vessels, which is currently under discussion at IMO, to reflect the position of the South Korean domestic industry. 

An example is, POSCO’s plans to support its high-manganese steel product, a new material for LNG fuel tanks, to be listed on the International Safety Standards (IGF Code). 
   
The government also intends to establish a cooperative system to share policy know-how with Singapore, which it believes “is leading the international LNG network”, and participate in discussions to develop international joint LNG bunkering standards and procedures and emergency manual reports.

“This project is a key project for the growth of shipping and shipbuilding and we look forward to a new breakthrough in the maritime industry in which the LNG-related shipbuilding industry is stagnating,” said Minister Kim Young-chun of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

“We will closely examine the situation with the related ministries such as the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport so that related new industries such as LNG bunkering can be settled early.”

The Korea Shipbuilders' Association Wednesday introduced the Korea GHG Reduction Response Research Council as a response to the IMO greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction deadline of 2050.

Related: South Korea responds to IMO’s 2050 GHG deadline

Photo credit: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
Published: 17 May, 2018

 

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, the company said Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes.

Admin

Published

on

By

Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

British oil giant Shell on Thursday (13 August) said Valencia has joined its growing network of bunkering locations, making LNG available as a marine fuel.

The successful completion of the first LNG bunkering operation in Valencia marked an important milestone for Spain and further strengthened Shell’s LNG supply capabilities across the Mediterranean. 

In a video shared by the company, bunkering vessel Alice Consulich was shown supplying an undisclosed volume of LNG to the container ship MSC Sabrina.

“As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes,” Shell said in a social media post. 

Shell said the achievement reflected the strong collaboration across the maritime value chain, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Port of Valencia and Fratelli Cosulich Group.

“We look forward to making more LNG bunker deliveries in Valencia and across the Mediterranean as LNG infrastructure and capabilities continue to expand,” the company said. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 14 August, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

Énestas and Power LNG join forces on Galveston bunkering

Énestas will provide capital, LNG transport and storage equipment, and downstream expertise to support Power LNG’s planned liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

Admin

Published

on

By

Stabilis Solutions enter 10-year LNG bunkering supply deal for Port of Galveston

Power LNG (Power LNG) and Mexico’s LNG infrastructure and downstream natural gas company Énestas on Wednesday (12 August) announced the execution of definitive agreements establishing a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of LNG infrastructure at the Port of Galveston.

Under the agreement, Énestas will provide capital, LNG transportation and storage equipment, and downstream operating expertise to support the development of the Harborside Terminal and Project Seawolf, Power LNG’s planned LNG liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

The partnership creates an immediate pathway to begin LNG distribution by truck while Project Seawolf is under development, supporting marine fueling, virtual pipeline customers, industrial users, and LNG exports throughout the Gulf Coast, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“Our vision has always been to establish Galveston as the premier LNG hub for the Gulf Coast,” said Austin Terry, Founder and CEO of Power LNG. 

“Énestas brings years of operational experience, proven LNG infrastructure, and a talented team that understands how to deliver LNG safely and efficiently. Together, we can immediately begin serving customers while laying the foundation for one of the most strategic LNG bunkering facilities in North America.”

Project Seawolf will provide LNG for marine bunkering, truck loading, virtual pipeline distribution, and international exports. The facility is strategically located at the Port of Galveston, serving one of the fastest-growing cruise, cargo, and energy corridors in the United States.

For Énestas, the transaction represented an important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

“This partnership represents a natural evolution for Énestas as we expand our downstream LNG business into the United States,” said Caio Zapata, Chief Executive Officer of Énestas. 

“For more than a decade, Énestas has developed and operated LNG infrastructure throughout Mexico, helping customers transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. Partnering with Power LNG allows us to leverage that experience in one of the most attractive LNG markets in North America. We see tremendous opportunities in marine bunkering, virtual pipeline logistics, industrial LNG supply, and exports to Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are excited to build that future together.”

The companies expect the partnership to support near-term LNG truck loading operations while advancing the long-term development of Project Seawolf, which is designed to become a regional hub for LNG production, marine fueling, and distribution.

The collaboration also establishes a platform to pursue additional downstream LNG opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast, utilising Énestas’ operational expertise together with Power LNG’s project development capabilities.

 

Photo credit: Port of Galveston
Published: 14 August, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Company says the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston.

Admin

Published

on

By

Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Clean energy production solutions provider Stabilis Solutions (Stabilis) on Thursday (13 August) said it has completed 97 LNG bunkering operations and delivered more than 150,000 m³ of LNG to customers in the Port of Galveston.

“As the only physical supplier of LNG on the Gulf Coast to reach this milestone, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted, proven operator — both with local Galveston stakeholders and with the world’s largest cruise operator,” the company said in a social media post.

“That trust is reflected in the 10-year LNG offtake agreement we executed in December 2025.”

The company said the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston. 

“As a Houston-based company, we believe in the Texas economy and the future growth of the Port of Galveston,” it added.

“That belief is why we’ve invested heavily over the past four years in the planning, permitting, and engineering design work to develop the most advanced, derisked, shovel-ready small-scale LNG liquefaction project on the Gulf Coast.”

Manifold Times previously reported Stabilis stating that the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is anticipated to be in production by the third quarter of 2028.

It will come complete with the delivery of the first new-build, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge in the Galveston/Houston area.

This comes following Stabilis receiving a Letter of Recommendation from the US Coast Guard following their formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

Related: Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility
Related: Stabilis Solutions terminates 10-year LNG supply deal, expects delay in Galveston project

 

Photo credit: Stabilis Solutions
Published: 14 August, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending