Stabilis Solutions Targets Q3 2028 Launch for Galveston LNG Bunkering Facility
Key Takeaways
- •Stabilis Solutions expects its Galveston LNG production and bunkering facility to commence operations in the third quarter of 2028.
- •The project includes the first newly built, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge serving the Galveston and Houston area.
- •The US Coast Guard issued a Letter of Recommendation for the proposed facility after completing a comprehensive safety and security assessment covering navigation hazards, vessel traffic, emergency response, and maritime security.
- •Stabilis described the Coast Guard Letter of Recommendation as a significant regulatory milestone for advancing the LNG waterfront project.
- •Once operational, the facility will add LNG bunkering capacity along the US Gulf Coast to help meet increasing demand for liquefied natural gas as a marine fuel.
Stabilis Solutions expects its proposed LNG production and bunkering facility in Galveston, Texas, to begin operations in the third quarter of 2028, according to a LinkedIn post published by the company yesterday.
In addition to the onshore liquefaction facility, the project is slated to include the first newly built, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge serving the Galveston and Houston area. Jones Act compliance is significant for domestic marine fuel logistics because vessels moving cargo between US points must meet US build, ownership, and crewing requirements.
US Coast Guard Issues Letter of Recommendation
Stabilis announced that it has received a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the United States Coast Guard following a formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and its associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations.
The recommendation was issued by the US Coast Guard Captain of the Port to the Port of Galveston and the Galveston Fire Marshal after a comprehensive safety and security assessment. According to the company, the review examined navigation hazards, vessel traffic density, emergency response capabilities, maritime security threats, and proposed mitigation measures.
Stabilis described the LOR as a significant regulatory milestone for the project. For LNG waterfront projects, Coast Guard review is an important part of assessing whether proposed marine transfer and bunkering operations can be conducted safely within an existing port environment.
Project Scope and Timeline
The company expects the Galveston facility to commence production in Q3 2028, with the new Jones Act-compliant bunker barge supporting LNG fuel deliveries to vessels calling at the Galveston and Houston ports.
Once operational, the project would add LNG bunkering capacity along the US Gulf Coast, a region seeing growing demand for liquefied natural gas as a marine fuel. LNG bunkering infrastructure is closely watched by shipowners and port operators because vessel operators need reliable fuel availability before committing ships to regular LNG-fueled service.
Source: Ship & Bunker