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The company Woodside Energy has awarded a service contract to Green Tug Towing for the design and manufacture of four state-of-the-art tugboats. This award, valued at over $300 million, brings the company’s total commitment to Louisiana suppliers to an impressive $1 billion destined for the development of the Louisiana LNG project.
The tugboat contract and fleet expansion in Belle Chasse
Under this strategic agreement, the construction of the new units will take place at the C&C Marine and Repair facilities located in Belle Chasse. These naval assets will be delivered in 2028 and are intended to provide essential towing services for LNG carriers operating at the liquefied natural gas terminal.
Furthermore, construction management will be handled by Green Tug Towing, a partnership between Harbor Docking & Towing and Saltchuk Marine, which will also operate a logistics base in Lake Charles to ensure operational continuity over the next two decades.
Daniel Kalms, Woodside’s Chief Operating Officer International, noted that this investment ensures a reliable supply for global markets while boosting the growth of shipbuilding in the region.
Additionally, it is estimated that the project’s execution will generate approximately 70 direct and 30 indirect jobs, along with 60 temporary positions during the critical construction phase at the shipyard. This capital flow strengthens the State’s position as a fundamental hub in the United States energy supply chain.
With construction scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026, the timeline aligns perfectly with the operational objectives of the Louisiana LNG terminal. The integration of local suppliers into this $17.5 billion scheme demonstrates planning that prioritizes regional resilience and technical capacity.
The new tugboats are a logistics tool that symbolizes the strength of a maritime industry that continues to attract global-scale investment through its specialized workforce and competitive infrastructure.
Source and photo: Woodside