APSEZ Argentina LNG Project Secures 10-Year Marine Deal
APSEZ Wins Long-Term Role in Argentina’s First LNG Export Project
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has secured a 10-year marine services contract for Argentina’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project, marking the company’s entry into South America and expanding its presence in the growing global energy logistics sector.
The contract was awarded through a competitive international tender conducted by Southern Energy S.A. (SESA), the company developing Argentina’s first operational LNG export project. APSEZ will execute the work through its subsidiary, Adani Harbour International FZCO, in partnership with Argentina-based Meridian Group.
The agreement is backed by an estimated investment commitment of around $70 million and places the Indian company at the centre of a project that could help reshape energy trade links between South America and major importing nations, including India.
The contract comes at a time when Argentina is seeking to establish itself as a significant exporter of LNG by tapping into the vast natural gas reserves of the Vaca Muerta shale formation, one of the world’s largest unconventional gas resources. Energy analysts have increasingly viewed Argentina as a future supplier capable of serving markets in Asia and Europe as countries seek to diversify their sources of energy imports.
Under the agreement, the Adani Group and Meridian consortium will provide a range of marine services for the Southern Energy Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project. These services include tugboat operations for LNG carriers, offshore logistics and supply support, and crew transfer operations.
The project will be supported by four high-specification tugboats, one anchor handling tug supply vessel and one crew boat. Such vessels play a critical role in ensuring the safe movement of LNG carriers and supporting offshore operations in often challenging marine conditions.
The contract will be carried out through Meridian Transportes Marítimos S.A., a joint venture in which Adani Harbour International FZCO holds a 51 per cent stake and Meridian Group owns the remaining 49 per cent.
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of APSEZ, said:
“This project reflects our growing capability to support large-scale energy infrastructure projects across geographies. With marine operations in 12 countries and a growing fleet of marine assets supporting ports, LNG terminals, national oil companies, refineries and offshore facilities, we bring deep operational expertise to complex maritime environments. By combining these capabilities with strong local partnerships, we are helping create reliable maritime ecosystems that enable new energy trade corridors and strengthen long-term supply resilience.”
The project represents another step in APSEZ’s broader international expansion strategy. Over the past several years, the company has expanded beyond its traditional port operations in India and invested in logistics, marine services and overseas infrastructure assets. APSEZ, part of the Adani Group, is India’s largest private port operator and manages a network of ports, terminals and logistics assets across multiple countries.
The company has also increased its focus on marine operations. Recent acquisitions and investments have strengthened its offshore and maritime capabilities, allowing it to compete for specialised contracts linked to energy infrastructure projects.
For Argentina, the Southern Energy project is considered a major milestone in the country’s ambition to become an LNG-exporting nation.
The project is being developed by SESA, a joint venture between Golar LNG and Pan American Energy (PAE). It is located in the San Matías Gulf in Río Negro Province on Argentina’s Atlantic coast.
Natural gas from the General San Martín pipeline will be liquefied aboard the floating LNG vessel Hilli Episeyo. Commercial operations are expected to begin in September 2027.
In its first phase, the facility is expected to produce approximately 2.45 million tonnes (MT) of LNG annually, equivalent to around 28 LNG cargoes each year. Industry reports indicate that additional expansion phases could significantly increase Argentina’s export capacity over the coming years.
Floating LNG facilities have become increasingly important in the global energy industry because they can be deployed faster and often at lower cost than traditional onshore LNG plants. Countries with large gas reserves but limited export infrastructure are increasingly using floating facilities to access international markets.
Argentina’s LNG ambitions are closely linked to the development of the Vaca Muerta shale basin, which contains some of the world’s largest shale gas resources. The country has spent years attempting to convert those reserves into export revenue through pipeline expansion, infrastructure development and long-term supply agreements.
Momentum has accelerated in recent years. Agreements have already been announced to support exports of up to 10 million tonnes of LNG annually to India beginning in 2027. Earlier discussions between Argentine energy companies and Indian firms focused on long-term LNG supply arrangements, reflecting India’s growing demand for natural gas.
India is among the world’s fastest-growing energy markets. As the country seeks to increase the share of cleaner fuels in its energy mix, LNG has become an increasingly important component of its energy strategy. Diversifying supply sources has also become a priority as geopolitical tensions and disruptions in traditional energy-exporting regions have highlighted the importance of energy security.
The Southern Energy project is therefore expected to contribute to the development of a new energy corridor linking South America with major Asian markets.
The project is also attracting international attention beyond India. Earlier this year, Southern Energy signed long-term LNG supply agreements with European buyers, signalling confidence in Argentina’s emergence as a new LNG-exporting nation. These agreements have been viewed as important steps in securing financing and long-term demand for the project.
Industry experts note that successful LNG exports could provide Argentina with a valuable source of foreign exchange earnings while creating opportunities for shipping, port services, offshore operations and supporting industries.
For APSEZ, the contract offers an opportunity to establish a presence in a new region while strengthening its marine services business. The company already operates across multiple international markets, and the Argentina project adds a significant energy-sector assignment to its portfolio.
The award also demonstrates the growing role Indian infrastructure and logistics companies are playing in international energy supply chains. As global trade routes evolve and new LNG-exporting regions emerge, specialised marine services are becoming increasingly important to the success of large-scale energy projects.
With commercial operations expected to begin in 2027, the Southern Energy FLNG project will be closely watched by governments, energy companies and investors seeking to assess Argentina’s potential as a major LNG exporter and the long-term prospects for energy trade between South America and Asia.
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