Freeport News

US, Australia Sign Critical Minerals Agreement, Back Submarine Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical minerals agreement aimed at countering China on Monday at a meeting marked by Trump's jab at Australia's envoy to the United States over past criticism.China loomed large at the first White House summit between Trump and Albanese, with the U.S. president also backing a strategic nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia to bolster security in the Indo-Pacific.While Trump and Albanese greeted each other warmly, the U.S. president expressed ire about past criticism of him by Australia's U.S.

Global Energy Group Rebrands as it Charts Next Growth Phase

Energy services company Global Energy Group has rebranded as Global and unveiled plans to build a new 2,000 square meter headquarters in Inverness as part of its strategy to grow turnover from $400 million to $670 million within three years.Group companies, Global Port Services, Global Crane Services, Global Wind Projects, Global Infrastructure, and Global Power Services (formerly Approved Power Services) will each undergo a brand refresh to bring them in line with the new Global corporate identity.As part of the rebrand…

UK's Port of Tyne Unveils $200M Upgrade Plan to Back Offshore Wind

The Port of Tyne has unveiled plans to invest around $200 million to redevelop 230 acres into the Tyne Clean Energy Park, adding 400 meters of deep-water quayside to support offshore renewables, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.The project could create up to 12,000 jobs and deliver $7.6 billion to the economy, according to an independent study by WSP.The investment program will transform the north and south banks of the Port of Tyne and add an additional 400 meters of deep-water quayside.The plan for Tyne Clean Energy Park includes a kilometer of both new and redeveloped deep-water…

EPA Issues Air Permit for Offshore Deepwater Port for Crude Oil Export

U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Clean Air Act (CAA) permit for the proposed offshore Texas GulfLink (TGL) deepwater port. The permit allows a first-of-its-kind use of vapor capture and control technology mounted on an offshore support vessel at TGL’s proposed deepwater port about 30 miles southeast of Freeport, Texas.The offshore deepwater port will be able to load very large crude carriers up to 85,000 barrels per hour, or 365 million barrels a year. The…

Mitsui, MOL Buy Port of Nigg and Energy Firms from Global Energy Group

Global Energy Group (GEG) has reached an agreement on the sale of three of its group companies, including The Port of Nigg, to long term investor, Mitsui & Co. Europe (Mitsui) a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co, together with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).The acquisition includes The Port of Nigg, a multi-sector energy port and green freeport, Global Energy (Fabrication), a multi-site fabrication and manufacturing business, and Global Energy Services, which provide scaffold and access teams.Post acquisition…

Germany, Latvia Join Forces for Maritime Innovation in Baltic Sea

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed to mark bilateral cooperation and digital innovation in maritime technologies between German and Latvian public and private sector partners to address challenges in port infrastructure management in the Baltic Sea.The signatories include LMT, the Freeport of Riga, the Port of Hamburg, the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia, the Fleet of Hamburg, and LVR Flote.The objectives of the memorandum are twofold: to identify the key challenges in the port and maritime sector…

JERA Agrees New US LNG Supply Deals

JERA, Japan's biggest power generator, has agreed to new supply deals for U.S. liquefied natural gas from four projects to diversify its global portfolio away from its reliance on Australia, it said on Thursday.JERA plans to buy up to 5.5 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) of U.S. LNG under 20-year contracts, with deliveries starting around 2030. That total includes some previously reported deals as well as newly announced agreements.Of the 5.5 mtpa announced on Wednesday 2.5 mtpa are non-binding agreements…

Sudden Severe Weather Sank Towing Vessel

Severe weather caused an overwhelming towline force and unrecoverable heeling that led to the capsizing and sinking of a towing vessel near Galveston, Texas, last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded.On May 13, 2024, while towing the barge Marmac 27 astern on an 800‑foot‑long wire, the towing vessel Baylor J. Tregre encountered severe weather, listed to port, capsized and sank. The four-person crew abandoned the vessel into a liferaft and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. One crewmember sustained minor injuries. There was no pollution reported.

US Natural Gas Prices Fall 6% in Volatile Contract Expiration Trade

U.S. natural gas futures fell about 6% on Wednesday to a one-week low in volatile contract expiration trade, pressured by an expected decline in gas flows to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants.Traders said Freeport LNG in Texas might reduce output and they pointed to forecasts for less demand this week than previously expected.On its last day as the front-month, gas futures for June delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) fell 19.4 cents, or 5.7%, to settle at $3.214 per million British thermal units (mmBtu)…

Freeport LNG Receives Approval to Restart Operations at Phase 3 Facilities

U.S.

US Natural Gas Prices Fall on a Smaller-Than-Expected Decline

U.S. natural gas futures fell around 1% on Wednesday on a smaller than previously expected decline in daily output so far this month after a 10%-price jump on Tuesday forced some traders to cover some short positions.Gas futures for June delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 2.4 cents, or 0.7%, to $3.403 per million British thermal units at 9:07 a.m. EDT (1307 GMT).Analysts said heating and cooling demand should remain low across much of the country in coming weeks…

CMA CGM Welcomes its First Indian Flagged Vessel at Nhava Sheva Free Port Terminal

The CMA CGM Group welcomed the arrival of the first Indian flagged containership registered by a major foreign carrier, CMA CGM Vitoria, at Nhava Sheva Free port Terminal on April 28, 2025, in the presence of Honourable Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India, Shri Shantanu Thakur.Mr. Atit Mahajan, General Manager, CMA CGM India, hosted the welcoming ceremony, which was attended by key dignitaries from India’s Ministry of states for Ports, Shipping and Waterways…

Philippines Mulls Conversion of Former US Naval Base Into Military Reservation

The Philippines is exploring the possibility of converting two islands that were once part of a U.S. navy base into a military reservation, its defence department said on Thursday, a move to bolster its presence in waters facing the South China Sea.Grande and Chiquita islands are located in Subic Bay, which was once a sprawling U.S. base until the Philippines rejected a lease extension in 1991. The U.S. military pulled out a year later and the strategically located facility has…

MOL Acquires LBC Tank Terminals

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has acquired 100% of the membership rights of LBC Tank Terminals Group Holding Netherlands Coöperatief (LBC), one of the world’s largest independent tank terminal operators primarily handling and storing chemicals in Europe and the United States.With the acquisition, MOL aims to strengthen its chemical logistics business.The sale and purchase agreement was signed on March 7, 2025, with the acquisition price expected to be approximately $1.7 billion.The…

Indian Prime Minister, French President Visit CMA CGM HQ

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visited the CMA CGM Group headquarters in Marseille during Modi’s state visit to France. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, welcomed both leaders for discussions on strengthening economic ties and advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).With a 34-year presence in India and 17,000 employees, CMA CGM connects the country to global markets through 19 weekly maritime services. The Group has made strategic port investments in Nhava Sheva Freeport (NSFT) and Mundra Port.

Texas ports begin resuming operations after winter storm

Several Texas ports began to resume operations on Wednesday, after winter storm Enzo moved out of the state, according to ports and a shipping notice seen by Reuters.The port of Freeport had resumed vessel operations on Wednesday morning, while the ports of Houston and Galveston were planning to reopen to vessel traffic later in the day.The storm brought several inches of snow to Texas, Louisiana and Florida, where extreme winter conditions are rare. It forced the shutdown of school districts…

Six US LNG Cargoes Diverted from Asia to Europe

Traders diverted at least six cargoes of liquefied natural gas that were on course for Asia to Europe earlier this month, drawn by higher European prices and amid weak Asian demand, according to analysts and shipping data.The diverted cargoes could help meet additional European demand as countries seek to replace piped Russian gas after the Ukraine transit deal expired on Jan. 1, while weather forecasts point to lower temperatures in northwest Europe.The vessels had loaded in the U.S.

All Freeport LNG Trains on Line Monday

All three liquefaction trains at Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas were expected to be back in service on Monday, according to preliminary data from financial firm LSEG.Freeport told environmental regulators that liquefaction Train 2 tripped while operating around midday on Nov. 22 due to an issue with a compressor system, resulting in an emissions event that lasted almost nine hours.That was the second train to shut at the plant in the past week. Liquefaction Train 3 shut on Nov. 20 due to an issue with a lube oil pump, resulting in an emission event that lasted more than 11 hours.Freeport LNG is one of the most closely watched LNG export plants in the world because the start and stop of its operations often cause massive price swings in global natural gas prices. U.S.

Video: Crewmember Medevaced from Oil Tanker Off Texas

Am ailing mariner was medevaced from an oil tanker 9 miles off Freeport, Texas, Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The agency said its watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a medevac request at 3:50 p.m. from a crew member aboard the tanker stating a 21-year-old male reportedly sustained injuries. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended the medevac.The Coast Guard coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter air crew to conduct the medevac.The helicopter crew arrived on scene…

MSC and ZIM Partner on Transpacific Trade

Container liner shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., announced it has entered into a new long-term operational cooperation with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on the Asia - U.S. East Coast and Asia - U.S. Gulf trades.The new services are scheduled to be launched in February 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and filings, ZIM said.Eli Glickman, ZIM President & CEO, said, "This important collaboration reflects ZIM's commitment to both delivering an outstanding shipping solution to its customers…

US Gulf Coast Energy Facilities Brace for Storm Francine

Energy facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast have begun scaling back operations and evacuating some production sites as Tropical Storm Francine swept through the energy-rich region, and was poised to strengthen into a hurricane later Tuesday.Francine was advancing toward the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, set to become the fourth hurricane of the Atlantic season, which concludes on November 30. Francine could intensify into a Category 2 hurricane, ahead of its expected landfall along the Louisiana coast on Wednesday evening, the National Hurricane Center said.Offshore production in the U.S.

Gulf of Mexico Offshore Platforms Evacuated Ahead of Storm Francine

U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil and gas producers were evacuating staff and curbing drilling to prepare for Tropical Storm Francine on Monday as it churned through the energy region on a path to bring high winds and drenching rains to the U.S. mid-South.Francine is likely to bring life-threatening storm surge to the upper Texas and Louisiana coasts and hurricane-force winds to Southern Louisiana this week. Residents of Calcasieu Parish in Louisiana on Monday were supplied with sandbags and other materials to combat the expected storm surge…

Freeport LNG Plant in Texas to Return to Service

U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas was on track to return to service on Thursday after shutting on Wednesday, LSEG data showed.Freeport is one of the most-watched U.S. LNG export plants in the world because it has a history of swaying global gas prices when it shuts and restarts.Energy traders, however, noted that gas prices around the world were little changed on Wednesday because Freeport said it was "actively working towards reestablishing operations." That convinced the market the outage would be brief…