LNG Bunkering

Glander: LNG and bio-LNG bunker fuel infrastructure, demand and price drivers

Big test for LNG as a marine fuel will be how quickly production of its alternatives can be scaled up, and how quickly shipowners are willing to pay extra cost for these lower-carbon fuels, says Mustafa El Zein.

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2024

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Global bunker trading firm Glander International Bunkering on Monday (14 October) released an interview with its New Fuels Advisor Mustafa El Zein, who shares insights on the current trends and developments in the LNG market:

LNG as a marine fuel is increasingly in the spotlight, offering a unique alternative to traditional fuels. The alternative fuel has been in use for at least 50 years in marine propulsion, namely on LNG tankers using its own cargo as fuel. In bunkering, LNG started properly developing around the early 2000’s, with the earliest LNG bunkering vessel starting operations around 8 years ago.

Mustafa El Zein explains that as the shipping industry takes on its mammoth task of reducing GHG emissions, LNG is surely becoming an attractive and viable solution due to its lower emissions (compared to fuel oils) and its relative cost competitiveness. This is resulting in the LNG bunkering industry growing rapidly, with bunkering facilities and delivery infrastructure being developed at various locations all over the world.

El Zein continues, “We are even seeing ship operators and owners who had previously dismissed the use of LNG fuelled vessels are now rethinking their decision and opting for the alternative fuel.”

Taking all these factors into account, LNG bunker supply will need to continue to increase to account for the large number of LNG fueled vessels currently on order.

Spain Mustafa El Zein New scaled e1728886121652

LNG globally

Europe is likely to see the most growth in LNG bunker demand in the next few years, according to El Zein.

The ARA hub is currently the largest location for LNG as a bunker fuel, but Southern Europe is now gaining traction as well; Spain, Portugal and France recently developed solutions both in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

“Asia – in particular Singapore, Malaysia and China – is also investing heavily, with some good capabilities already in place, and North American ports in the Gulf of Mexico, US East Coast and other strategic locations are expanding their LNG bunkering capabilities,” he says.

LNG bunker demand is expected to grow to 20-25 million mt/year by 2030. This increase aligns with the broader global LNG demand, which is currently around 400 million mt/year and expected to reach 600 million mt/year by 2030. At the same time, the global LNG supply will grow in parallel.

What will drive LNG demand?

Power generation and industrial use are likely to remain the dominant influence on the global LNG market because of their relative size.

According to El Zein, the big test for LNG as a bunker fuel will be how quickly production of its alternatives – bio- and synthetic LNG – can be scaled up, and how quickly shipowners show willingness to pay the extra cost for these lower-carbon fuels.

He says, “The EU’s emissions trading system for shipping and upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation are already starting to provide an incentive for that switch.”

The regulations are ratcheting up progressively, giving time for ship owners, fuel producers, and industry stakeholders to collaborate towards reaching the goal. El Zein adds, “What’s even more encouraging is the growing awareness within the industry of the need to reduce emissions. This is where the voluntary market is gaining momentum.”

LNG price outlooks

As demand is steadily incentivized by regulation, the challenge will be in supplying bio- and synthetic LNG at sufficient scale.

Biogas prices seem to be on the track of stabilising, and demand, while not that high today, will surely increase as the regulations catch up with fossil LNG’s emissions.

El Zein advises, “Investment in production and infrastructure is needed, and the sooner the better.”

The EU’s target for overall biogas production is 35 BCM per year by 2030, compared with production levels of about 4 BCM in 2022. And a good share of it can and will be used by the shipping sector.

He concludes, “If this target can be met, and similar growth achieved in other key regions, LNG will be an even more attractive proposition for the decarbonization of shipping.”

Photo credit: Glander International Bunkering
Published: 16 October, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, the company said Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes.

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August 14, 2026

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Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

British oil giant Shell on Thursday (13 August) said Valencia has joined its growing network of bunkering locations, making LNG available as a marine fuel.

The successful completion of the first LNG bunkering operation in Valencia marked an important milestone for Spain and further strengthened Shell’s LNG supply capabilities across the Mediterranean.

In a video shared by the company, bunkering vessel Alice Consulich was shown supplying an undisclosed volume of LNG to the container ship MSC Sabrina.

“As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes,” Shell said in a social media post.

Shell said the achievement reflected the strong collaboration across the maritime value chain, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Port of Valencia and Fratelli Cosulich Group.

“We look forward to making more LNG bunker deliveries in Valencia and across the Mediterranean as LNG infrastructure and capabilities continue to expand,” the company said.

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 14 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Énestas and Power LNG join forces on Galveston bunkering

Énestas will provide capital, LNG transport and storage equipment, and downstream expertise to support Power LNG’s planned liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

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August 14, 2026

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Stabilis Solutions enter 10-year LNG bunkering supply deal for Port of Galveston

Power LNG (Power LNG) and Mexico’s LNG infrastructure and downstream natural gas company Énestas on Wednesday (12 August) announced the execution of definitive agreements establishing a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of LNG infrastructure at the Port of Galveston.

Under the agreement, Énestas will provide capital, LNG transportation and storage equipment, and downstream operating expertise to support the development of the Harborside Terminal and Project Seawolf, Power LNG’s planned LNG liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

The partnership creates an immediate pathway to begin LNG distribution by truck while Project Seawolf is under development, supporting marine fueling, virtual pipeline customers, industrial users, and LNG exports throughout the Gulf Coast, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“Our vision has always been to establish Galveston as the premier LNG hub for the Gulf Coast,” said Austin Terry, Founder and CEO of Power LNG.

“Énestas brings years of operational experience, proven LNG infrastructure, and a talented team that understands how to deliver LNG safely and efficiently. Together, we can immediately begin serving customers while laying the foundation for one of the most strategic LNG bunkering facilities in North America.”

Project Seawolf will provide LNG for marine bunkering, truck loading, virtual pipeline distribution, and international exports. The facility is strategically located at the Port of Galveston, serving one of the fastest-growing cruise, cargo, and energy corridors in the United States.

For Énestas, the transaction represented an important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

“This partnership represents a natural evolution for Énestas as we expand our downstream LNG business into the United States,” said Caio Zapata, Chief Executive Officer of Énestas.

“For more than a decade, Énestas has developed and operated LNG infrastructure throughout Mexico, helping customers transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. Partnering with Power LNG allows us to leverage that experience in one of the most attractive LNG markets in North America. We see tremendous opportunities in marine bunkering, virtual pipeline logistics, industrial LNG supply, and exports to Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are excited to build that future together.”

The companies expect the partnership to support near-term LNG truck loading operations while advancing the long-term development of Project Seawolf, which is designed to become a regional hub for LNG production, marine fueling, and distribution.

The collaboration also establishes a platform to pursue additional downstream LNG opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast, utilising Énestas’ operational expertise together with Power LNG’s project development capabilities.

Photo credit: Port of Galveston
Published: 14 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Company says the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston.

Published

3 days ago

August 14, 2026

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Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Clean energy production solutions provider Stabilis Solutions (Stabilis) on Thursday (13 August) said it has completed 97 LNG bunkering operations and delivered more than 150,000 m³ of LNG to customers in the Port of Galveston.

“As the only physical supplier of LNG on the Gulf Coast to reach this milestone, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted, proven operator — both with local Galveston stakeholders and with the world’s largest cruise operator,” the company said in a social media post.

“That trust is reflected in the 10-year LNG offtake agreement we executed in December 2025.”

The company said the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston.

“As a Houston-based company, we believe in the Texas economy and the future growth of the Port of Galveston,” it added.

“That belief is why we’ve invested heavily over the past four years in the planning, permitting, and engineering design work to develop the most advanced, derisked, shovel-ready small-scale LNG liquefaction project on the Gulf Coast.”

Manifold Times previously reported Stabilis stating that the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is anticipated to be in production by the third quarter of 2028.

It will come complete with the delivery of the first new-build, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge in the Galveston/Houston area.

This comes following Stabilis receiving a Letter of Recommendation from the US Coast Guard following their formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

Photo credit: Stabilis Solutions
Published: 14 August, 2026