The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has approved a deep water port license application for Blue Marlin Offshore Port LLC, which plans a $1 billion crude oil export facility off the coast of Louisiana, reports Port Technology.
The facility will be able to export up to two million barrels of crude oil per day, or 80,000 barrels per hour. The U.S. Department of Transportation said the project will support up to 1,052 construction jobs and improve the country’s capacity to handle Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The exports are intended to support the energy security of U.S. allies.
The port will sit about 99 miles off Cameron Parish in West Cameron Block 509 and will use a mix of existing and converted platform infrastructure. Because of its location, VLCCs will be able to load directly in deep water. The department said this will ease congestion at inland ports and lower the risk of vessel collisions and other safety incidents. Read more from Port Technology.
