Pilot LNG awards key Galveston LNG Bunker Port contract

Pilot LNG released this image when it first announced plans for a Galveston Bay LNG bunkering hub.

Texas-based Pilot LNG LLC is moving ahead with its proposed Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) project. It has now awarded the Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) contract for the project’s marine infrastructure engineering to W. F. Baird & Associates Ltd.

“It was imperative that the company selected to carry out the FEED works for the Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) has an excellent track record of successfully executing marine terminal projects,” said Pilot Chief Executive Jonathan Cook. “Our selection of Baird is in recognition of their unparalleled expertise and commitment to engineering and designing safe, reliable and efficient projects; and we are happy to continue to work with Baird as a preferred partner in GLBP.”

Pilot says it is “planning to deliver highly competitive and environmentally responsible clean fuels to the maritime industry that will not only be more economical than traditional marine fuels, but will also help reduce emissions to comply with IMO 2020 regulations and achieve decarbonization goals.”

GOING ELECTRIC

To further mitigate operational impacts, Pilot says it has chosen to utilize electric drives powered by electricity sourced 100% from Texas renewable energy, eliminating virtually all operating emissions related to the facility and making it one of the greenest facilities of its type anywhere in the world.

Baird will provide services to Pilot LNG that include design of marine structures, metocean modeling including storm surge and tidal currents, dredging design and dredged material placement analysis, and support for vessel maneuvering assessments. Baird’s Houston office will lead the assessment with support from the company’s other North American and international offices.

The GLBP project will provide the ports of Houston, Galveston, and Texas City, with the infrastructure needed to supply fuel to the growing global LNG bunker market. While LNG bunkering infrastructure has been rapidly developing overseas and in other parts of the U.S., Pilot says its Galveston LNG Bunker Port would be the first of its kind for the region.

Pilot anticipates taking a Final Investment Decision on the GLBP project in the second half of 2022 with operations beginning in the second half of 2025.