MARAD Issues the License for the Delfin LNG Deepwater Port Application

In a landmark decision on March 21, 2025, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) granted Delfin LNG, LLC a license to own, construct, operate, and eventually decommission a deepwater port dedicated to exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). This approval signifies the inauguration of the United States' first offshore LNG export facility, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's energy export landscape.

The odyssey of Delfin LNG's deepwater port began nearly a decade ago. In May 2015, Delfin LNG submitted its initial application to MARAD, seeking authorization for the project. The application underwent a comprehensive review process, culminating in a favorable Record of Decision (ROD) issued by MARAD in March 2017. This ROD outlined specific technical, financial, and environmental conditions that Delfin LNG needed to satisfy to move forward.

Strategically positioned in U.S. federal waters, the Delfin LNG deepwater port is set to operate approximately 37.4 to 40.8 nautical miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The facility is designed to leverage existing pipeline infrastructures, facilitating the deployment of up to three floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessels. Collectively, these vessels aim to achieve a production capacity of 13.2 million tonnes of LNG annually, thereby enhancing the United States' capacity to meet global energy demands.

The approval process for the Delfin LNG project was characterized by extensive interagency collaboration. MARAD and the U.S. Coast Guard led the regulatory review, working in concert with approximately 15 federal agencies. Additionally, state authorities from Texas and Louisiana played pivotal roles in evaluating the application, ensuring that environmental and other pertinent considerations were meticulously addressed.

The issuance of the deepwater port license aligns seamlessly with President Trump's "Unleashing American Energy" Executive Order, signed on January 20, 2025. This policy initiative underscores the administration's commitment to bolstering domestic energy production and expanding export capabilities, thereby reinforcing the United States' position in the global energy market.

The authorization of the Delfin LNG deepwater port represents a significant milestone in the evolution of U.S. energy exports. As the nation's inaugural offshore LNG export facility, it sets a precedent for future projects, potentially catalyzing a new era of offshore energy infrastructure development. This advancement not only diversifies the United States' energy export portfolio but also enhances its ability to respond to the dynamic demands of the global LNG market.

With the license now secured, Delfin LNG is poised to commence the construction phase of the deepwater port. The project's progression will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders, policymakers, and global energy markets, as it embodies a critical step toward expanding U.S. LNG export capabilities and asserting the nation's role as a key energy supplier on the world stage.