Houston, TX – May, 2025 — In a landmark development for the U.S. Gulf Coast maritime energy sector, Galveston LNG Bunker Port, LLC (GLBP) has officially secured all necessary construction permits for its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine bunkering facility. The Texas-based project, a joint venture between Pilot LNG and Seapath Group, marks a significant step toward establishing the first dedicated LNG marine fuel hub in the Gulf of Mexico region. The company now targets the second half of 2027 for the start of commercial operations and product deliveries.
With this milestone, GLBP emerges as the region’s frontrunner in supplying clean-burning LNG to the rapidly expanding fleet of LNG-powered vessels. Strategically located on Shoal Point along the Texas City Ship Channel, the facility is ideally positioned to serve key commercial ports, including Port Houston, Port of Galveston, and the Port of Texas City.
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Full Regulatory Clearance Achieved
GLBP has received final regulatory approval from both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Specifically, USACE has granted the project Section 408 and 404/10 authorizations under the Clean Water Act, while the USCG has issued its Captain of the Port Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for the facility’s Waterway Suitability Assessment (WSA) under 33 CFR 127 regulations.
These follow previous regulatory green lights, including a Water Quality Certification from the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) and an air permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), both received earlier this year.
With these approvals in hand, the project is now advancing toward a Final Investment Decision (FID), which is anticipated in mid-2025.
Leadership Perspectives
Shaun Davison, Chief Development Officer of Pilot LNG, hailed the milestone as a culmination of extensive teamwork and diligence:
“This is a crucial milestone for our project and is the culmination of intense effort and hard work by the overall team. I would like to extend my thanks to the many dedicated professionals who made this possible – both the GLBP team and our trusted advisors. We are in the very advantageous position of being the only permitted LNG bunker project in the region. We look forward to beginning LNG bunker deliveries to customers in the second half of 2027.”
Josh Lubarsky, President of Seapath Group, emphasized the strategic edge gained through early investment and persistent execution:
“After several years of challenging and complex work bringing together the engineering, permitting, and third-party supplies for gas and power to the project, we are now comfortably ahead in the marketplace to be the first dedicated LNG marine fuels supplier in the U.S. Gulf. So much work is required behind the scenes to get a complex project to this point, which oftentimes goes unnoticed. We have made a significant financial commitment to this project and, over the course of the last several years, have positioned GLBP to be the foremost clean fuel supply hub in the Galveston Bay/Gulf region. We could not be more excited for the start of construction in the coming months.”
Project Overview: Infrastructure for a Cleaner Maritime Future
The Galveston LNG Bunker Port is designed to be a small-scale LNG facility that directly supports the growing demand for clean marine fuel. Its infrastructure will include:
- Two 3-million-gallon LNG storage tanks
- Daily LNG bunkering capacity of up to 720,000 gallons
- Barge-based fuel delivery to LNG-fueled vessels in the Houston-Galveston region
- Access to the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area, expanding its operational reach
The project is being developed in two phases, with operations expected to commence in the second half of 2027.
Strategic Importance and Market Position
GLBP’s unique position as the first fully permitted LNG bunkering facility on the Gulf Coast aligns with international efforts to decarbonize maritime shipping. As demand for cleaner, lower-emission marine fuels increases, LNG is viewed as a key transitional fuel. GLBP will be an essential part of this evolving energy landscape, providing safe, reliable LNG bunkering services to one of the busiest shipping corridors in North America.
Its location in the Texas City industrial zone allows for efficient integration into existing port and energy infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a central component of the Gulf Coast’s clean energy maritime future.
About Pilot LNG
Pilot LNG, LLC is a Houston-based energy infrastructure company focused on the development and operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and logistics assets. The company is dedicated to delivering clean energy solutions through small- and mid-scale LNG import terminals, bunkering facilities, and related infrastructure. Pilot LNG’s mission is to enable the global transition to cleaner fuels by facilitating reliable, scalable access to LNG.
About Seapath Group
Seapath is a maritime infrastructure investment and development company dedicated to strengthening America’s economic resilience. The company specializes in financing and supporting commercial and industrial maritime projects, including port infrastructure, shipping assets, and energy logistics systems. As a subsidiary of the Libra Group, Seapath operates within a global framework, investing in essential infrastructure that enhances competitiveness and sustainability across the U.S. maritime industry.
About Galveston LNG Bunker Port
Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) is a dedicated LNG marine fuel terminal being developed on Shoal Point in Galveston County, Texas. The facility is a joint venture between Pilot LNG and Seapath Group and is strategically located to serve the greater Houston-Galveston port complex. GLBP is being built to meet the rising demand for LNG as a clean-burning marine fuel and will feature barge-based fuel delivery, two large LNG storage tanks, and total daily capacity of up to 720,000 gallons. The project is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2027.
Source Galveston LNG Bunker Port