New MARAD takeover of deepwater port licensing slashed red tape delays by 70%-making it the fastest deepwater port license review in over 20 years
HOUSTON, TX – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has approved a deepwater port license application for ST LNG, LLC. This significant milestone builds on two of President Trump’s most historic Executive Orders: Unleashing American Energy and Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance.
The $8.2 billion deepwater liquefied natural gas (LNG) port will:
- Support 2,000 construction jobs and up to 855 permanent jobs
- Expand America’s LNG export capacity by 7-9%
- Feature four 2.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) liquefaction systems
“By slashing red tape and modernizing our licensing processes, the Trump Administration is delivering a massive economic boom for the people of Texas,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This project will unleash American energy – ensuring demand for Texas’ bountiful natural gas and the men and women who extract it continues to grow. Building this state-of-the-art port will also generate thousands of jobs in the Gulf and cement our nation’s status as the number one energy exporter in the world.”
“Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s leadership, MARAD is replacing outdated regulations with record-breaking results,” said MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel. “Approving the ST LNG deepwater port license-our third approval under the Trump Administration-proves we can accelerate the safe development of crucial energy infrastructure that will strengthen our supply chains and drive down energy prices.”
The ST LNG deepwater port will be built approximately 10.4 miles offshore Matagorda, Texas. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the port coming online in 2029. At full capacity, the port will include 20 platforms, four LNG floating storage units, four mooring systems, and 7.7 miles of pipeline. The port location is expected to move vessel traffic away from more congested onshore areas, reducing vessel collisions and safety risks.
The feed gas for the port will come from the Tres Palacios Natural Gas Storage and Trading Hub and the Williams Markham Gas Processing Plant through an existing Transco pipeline approximately 5.6 miles northeast of the port.
Additional Information:
By directing MARAD to take over and overhaul the deepwater port licensing process, Secretary Duffy slashed wasteful red tape and accelerated application reviews. Through this streamlined approach, MARAD finalized the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for ST LNG in just 410 days. That is nearly 3.7 years faster than the historical average – a 70% reduction in review time and the fastest deepwater port license review in more than two decades.
The milestone was achieved by streamlining the decision-making process, eliminating duplicative administrative procedures, and improving interagency coordination – all without compromising safety.
Throughout the comprehensive review, MARAD partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard, key federal agencies, and the State of Texas to ensure the project meets strict safety and security standards. This decision approves the construction and operation of a critical facility that will expand American LNG exports and deliver domestic energy to our allies without reliance on foreign supply chains.