Department of Transportation moves forward on Delfin LNG deepwater port licensing following court win

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will move forward with issuing a Deepwater port license to Delfin LNG following a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to deny a review of a legal challenge from Far Left activist environmental groups. This decision will ensure the Department can continue its work to secure America’s energy dominance and deliver affordable energy to American families.

“This commonsense ruling ensures that this vital energy infrastructure project won't be derailed by Far Left climate activists,” said MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel. "Under the President's directive, the Maritime Administration is unleashing America’s energy dominance by supporting the Delfin LNG Deepwater port’s operations and the good-paying jobs it'll create."

“This project is an important part of the President’s energy dominance agenda, as evidenced by the President’s directives to the Maritime Administration about this project in his Unleashing American Energy Executive Order,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Fifth Circuit’s ruling will make it harder for environmental groups — who have no stake in important energy projects — to challenge projects that will bring jobs and prosperity to Americans.”

Additional Information:

The Delfin Deepwater port–Delfin FLNG 1–will be the first offshore LNG export project in the United States, with production slated to begin in 2030. Delfin plans to construct two additional floating LNG vessels that will be launched in the next year. At full capacity, the facility will export roughly 1.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Timeline:

• In 2017, during President Trump’s first term, MARAD authorized the Delfin port.
• In 2024, the Biden Administration declined to issue the license, citing a need for additional environmental review.
• In January 2025, President Trump issued the Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy.
• In March 2025, Secretary Duffy directed MARAD to issue the license for the project.
• In June 2026, Delfin reached a $5 billion Final Investment Decision to begin construction on Delfin FLNG 1.