Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has secured a landmark 10-year marine services contract for Argentina’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project, marking the company’s entry into South America and further expanding its international maritime services portfolio. The contract has been awarded to APSEZ’s step-down subsidiary, Adani Harbour International FZCO, through a consortium formed with Argentina-based Meridian Group. The appointment follows a global competitive tender process conducted by Southern Energy S.A. (SESA), the developer of the pioneering LNG export venture.
Under the agreement, the consortium will deliver a comprehensive range of marine support services essential to the operation of the LNG facility. These include tugboat operations for LNG carriers, offshore logistics and supply support, as well as crew transportation services. Operations will be supported by a fleet comprising four advanced tugboats, an anchor-handling tug supply vessel and a dedicated crew boat.
The project represents a significant milestone in APSEZ’s international expansion strategy and reinforces its growing role in supporting global energy logistics infrastructure. With marine operations already spanning 12 countries, the company has built extensive expertise in serving ports, LNG terminals, offshore installations, refineries and national energy companies.
Commenting on the development, APSEZ Chief Executive Officer Ashwani Gupta said the contract highlights the company’s ability to support large-scale energy infrastructure projects across diverse geographies. He noted that APSEZ’s operational capabilities, combined with strong local partnerships, are helping establish reliable maritime ecosystems that facilitate emerging energy trade routes and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
The Southern Energy floating LNG project is being developed by SESA, a joint venture between Golar LNG and Pan American Energy. Located in the San Matías Gulf in Argentina’s Río Negro Province, the facility will process natural gas supplied through the General San Martin pipeline aboard the floating LNG vessel Hilli Episeyo. Commercial operations are expected to commence in September 2027.
During its initial phase, the project is projected to produce approximately 2.45 million tonnes of LNG annually, equivalent to nearly 28 LNG cargoes each year. The development is expected to become Argentina’s first operational LNG export project and a key contributor to the country’s emergence as a significant global LNG supplier.
The contract will be executed through Meridian Transportes Marítimos SA, a joint venture owned 51 percent by Adani Harbour International FZCO and 49 percent by Meridian Group, creating a long-term platform for marine services growth in the South American energy market.
