Houston, Texas | December 9, 2025 – Galveston LNG Bunker Port, LLC (GLBP), the developer behind what is set to become the first dedicated LNG bunkering terminal on the U.S. Gulf Coast, has signed a pivotal Heads of Agreement (HOA) with a major international shipping company for long-term LNG bunker fuel supply in Galveston Bay. Deliveries under the agreement will be executed via a Jones Act–compliant LNG bunker vessel beginning in 2029, marking a major strategic step for U.S. LNG bunkering capacity as global dual-fuel fleets expand.
With this milestone, GLBP underscores its position as the most advanced, most certain, and fastest-to-market LNG bunkering project in the U.S. Gulf, reinforcing both its commercial momentum and its infrastructure readiness.
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GLBP Terminal Set for Late-2028 Start-Up, Serving Three Major U.S. Ports
GLBP’s state-of-the-art terminal, currently in advanced development and slated to enter operations in late 2028, will provide LNG bunker deliveries by barge to vessels calling at:
- Port Houston
- Port of Galveston
- Port of Texas City
The facility is designed to become a central LNG fueling node for the rapidly expanding Galveston Bay maritime cluster, one of the busiest and most strategically significant port corridors in North America.
Project Momentum: Permits Secured, EPC Contractor Selected
The signing of the HOA comes on the heels of a series of major project milestones. GLBP has:
- Obtained all major state and federal permits required for construction
- Selected its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor
- Advanced commercial negotiations with additional global ship operators
Together, these achievements reflect strong project maturity and underscore GLBP’s readiness to deliver critical infrastructure that will enhance U.S. maritime energy security, diversify marine fuel availability, and support the industry’s transition toward cleaner propulsion.
Growing Demand: LNG Bunkering Infrastructure Racing to Keep Pace
The announcement also follows the recent North American LNG Bunkering Summit in Virginia Beach, where industry leaders highlighted the urgent requirement for new U.S. LNG supply points as dual-fuel fleets proliferate.
According to data from DNV, approximately 781 dual-fuel ships are currently in operation worldwide, with the global fleet expected to reach around 1,400 vessels by 2030 as confirmed newbuild orders are delivered. Analysts warn, however, that existing LNG-bunkering capacity will be insufficient, raising concerns that ships entering service from 2027 through 2029 may face supply constraints unless new infrastructure commitments are secured in the near term.
GLBP’s development timeline, and the commercial commitments now underway, respond directly to this tightening supply outlook.
Commercial Discussions Underway for Remaining Phase-One Volumes
The Texas-based developer confirmed that it is in active negotiations with several leading international shipowners in the container and car carrier segments for the remaining bunker volumes available in Phase 1 of the terminal.
At full buildout, the terminal will offer:
- Up to 720,000 gallons per day of LNG bunker capacity
- Two 3-million-gallon storage tanks
- Full compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements through Jones Act–compliant delivery vessels
This scalability positions GLBP as a pivotal supplier to U.S. Gulf operators navigating new emissions regulations, lower-carbon fuel mandates, and the industry’s shift toward cost-effective, lower-emissions LNG marine fuels.
Global Uptake of LNG Marine Fuel Continues to Accelerate
The global maritime sector is experiencing a rapid transition toward LNG as a primary marine fuel solution, driven by:
- Strong newbuild orders for dual-fuel tonnage
- Requirements for lower-carbon, SOx-free and NOx-reducing fuels
- Market readiness for future transition to bio-LNG and synthetic LNG
GLBP’s project arrives at a moment when the maritime industry is looking for reliable Gulf Coast LNG supply, particularly in a port region projected to see substantial fleet expansion in both liner and car carrier trades.
About Galveston LNG Bunker Port
Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) is under development at Shoal Point in Texas City, Galveston County, strategically positioned to serve the greater Houston–Galveston port complex, one of the largest cargo and energy corridors in the United States. Operations are expected to commence in 2028.
Developed in two phases, the terminal will provide up to 720,000 gallons per day of LNG bunkering capacity supported by two 3-million-gallon storage tanks. GLBP is engineered to meet surging demand for LNG as a marine fuel and is positioned to supply vessels across the port complex and surrounding regions, including the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area.
Source: Galveston LNG Bunker Port