Natural gas infrastructure specialist Pilot LNG announced on Friday a new project to construct a dedicated liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering terminal in Texas, U.S.

The Galveston LNG Bunker Port project proposes the construction of a new LNG terminal located in Galveston, Texas, U.S. The project aims to connect the Ports of Galveston, Texas City and Houston, providing LNG as a “clean-burning” marine fuel.

The infrastructure of the terminal is to be designed around floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) technology, including a liquefaction unit which will be supplied by FLNG specialist, Wison Offshore & Marine.

Pilot LNG has submitted a proposal for the project to relevant authorities and expects a final investment decision (FID) in H2 2021, with operations scheduled to begin in 2024. The FLNG would produce 500,000 tonnes per annum, or 66 million cubic feet per day, similar to the Tango FLNG unit in Argentina.

The company noted that while the benefits of adopting LNG as a marine fuel have been embraced by the marine industry, additional bunkering infrastructure is required to ensure that LNG is adopted on a wider scale.

“The proposed Galveston LNG Bunkering Port would provide the necessary infrastructure to supply the growing market for LNG marine fuel, substantially reducing marine emissions and cutting shipper’s fuel costs at the same time,” said Jonathan Cook, CEO of Pilot LNG.