Pilot LNG Enlists GAC for Texas Bunkering Plan

Texas-based Pilot LNG said October 20 it had executed a heads of agreement (HoA) with global bunkering provider GAC Bunker Fuels for the provision of LNG marine fuel from its proposed Galveston LNG Bunker Port.

The HoA lays the groundwork for Pilot to provide LNG marine fuel to GAC on a delivered ex-ship basis for its customers in the Galveston Bay Port complex, including the ports of Houston, Galveston and Texas City, as well as the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area.

“The Galveston LNG Bunker Port will provide the LNG to supply GAC’s growing market for cleaner marine fuel, particularly as its customers seek economic ways to comply with tightening emissions regulations, including IMO 2020,” Pilot CEO Jonathan Cook said.

GAC Bunker Fuels is the world’s only bunkering company with integrated ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications for bunker procurement, which also covers LNG as a marine fuel.

Pilot filed regulatory applications with the US Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant agencies in July 2020, paving the way for a final investment decision in 2021 and the planned start of operations in 2024.