Call for expressions of interest: small-scale LNG carrier loading at Fos Cavaou for the post-2028 period
Since 2021, Elengy has been loading small-scale LNG carriers at the Fos Cavaou LNG terminal, in the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille. More than 140 operations have been completed, and demand is growing. This raises the question of what comes next: from 2029, what capacity should be offered, and on what terms? To answer it, Elengy is consulting the market.
A market moving faster than its infrastructure LNG is establishing itself as a long-term marine fuel, with bio-LNG and e-LNG taking over. Excluding LNG carriers, around 1,500 vessels are in service or on order, and bunkering needs increased more than sixfold between 2022 and 2025.
Up to 300 operations per year: three scenarios Fos Cavaou currently has a capacity of around 50 loadings per year from the terminal's single berth, which is also used for unloading LNG carriers. Elengy's analyses identify a potential of up to 300 operations per year:
- current configuration maintained, at around 50 operations per year;
- adaptation of the existing berth, which would widen the range of vessels received from around 2029;
- construction of a second jetty, which would increase capacity to around 300 operations per year within 3 to 5 years.
This last scenario requires long-term commitments covering sufficient volumes, and therefore depends on the market's responses.
How to take part The call for expressions of interest is non-binding. Elengy would like to know the number of operations envisaged, the volumes, the share of bio-LNG and e-LNG, the possible commitment period, and respondents' expectations. An optional response template and a confidentiality agreement are included in the consultation pack. Information provided will be treated as confidential under this agreement, and holding a terminal access contract is not a prerequisite for responding.
Opens on 3 November 2026. Responses are expected by 29 January 2027 at the latest, at Foscavaou-Development@elengy.com. Elengy will inform the market of the next steps for existing capacity during the first half of 2027.