The partnership provides the maritime industry with “reliable and scalable” LNG bunkering to meet rising demand in the greater Houston port complex, GLBP said in a statement on Tueday.
According to GLP, the agreement establishes a framework for vessel development, construction, and long-term operation, positioning GLBP to progress efficiently toward end-to-end project execution as market demand continues to grow.
In addition, this partnership supports the expansion of the Jones Act LNG bunker fleet and domestic maritime capabilities, it said.
A core element of the GLBP project is the ability to transport LNG within US coastwise trade, which requires that vessels be US-owned, built, and crewed.
GLPB said the HoA lays out a path toward executing a charter agreement for the first LNG bunker vessel to support the GLBP project by the middle of 2026.
Tote Services, a unit of Tote, has extensive experience with LNG and currently operates LNG-powered cargo vessels and two LNG bunker vessels.
In addition, Tote Services has safely completed over 850 total LNG bunkerings.
FID in 2026?
GLBP said it is advancing toward a final investment decision (FID) in 2026 following the award of all required federal and state permits in 2025 from agencies including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Coast Guard, the Texas Railroad Commission, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The company has also selected NV5 Global as its EPC contractor.
GLPB noted that it continues to advance customer offtake agreements.
Last month, GLPB announced that it signed a deal to supply LNG to an international shipping firm.
The heads of agreement covers LNG as a marine fuel to be delivered via Jones Act–compliant LNG bunker vessel beginning in 2029.
Operations of GLBP are projected to start in 2029.
The terminal is being developed in two phases with a total capacity of up to 720,000 gallons per day accompanied by two 3-million-gallon storage tanks.
