The arrival of pipe-lay vessel STINGRAY at Palma Bay, in Cabo Delgado province, marks a concrete step in the resumption of the Mozambique LNG project, operated by TotalEnergies, following several years of suspension.
Offloaded in recent days, the vessel is expected to support the installation of infrastructure that will connect offshore gas fields to onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, representing a significant phase in the advancement of construction works.
The STINGRAY will be responsible for installing five pipelines along a corridor of approximately 17.7 kilometres across Palma Bay. The infrastructure is critical for transporting gas produced in Area 1 to the liquefaction facilities currently under construction onshore.
According to a statement cited by the newspaper Domingo, the vessel’s arrival signals that the project is transitioning from announcements about its resumption to a phase of physical execution, marked by the return of equipment, contractors, and specialist vessels to Cabo Delgado province.
‘The arrival of the vessel therefore represents a signal that the project is moving from the announcement phase regarding its resumption to a stage of physical execution, with the return of equipment, contractors, and specialist vessels to Cabo Delgado province,’ the document states.
The mobilisation of the STINGRAY encountered logistical constraints along the way. The vessel and its support fleet were held in the United Arab Emirates following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early 2026, before being rerouted via Oman to reach Mozambique.
Works in the shallow-water zone of Palma Bay are expected to be followed by a deepwater campaign, scheduled for the second quarter of 2027. Both phases form part of the progressive process of connecting the offshore gas fields to the onshore liquefaction unit.
For the market, the physical progress of construction works is of particular significance, as the completion of each stage helps reduce execution risks associated with one of the largest investment projects ever undertaken in Mozambique. The resumption is also expected to stimulate sectors including logistics, transport, engineering, accommodation, and maintenance.
The advancement of works could further create opportunities for domestic companies integrated into the project’s supply chain, through the provision of goods and services. In this way, the resumption of activities is expected to engage a range of sectors linked to project execution.
On the international market, the entry into production of Mozambique LNG has the potential to strengthen Mozambique’s position as an LNG supplier, in a context where buyers across Europe and Asia are seeking to diversify their long-term supply sources.
In the months ahead, attention will be focused on the progress of offshore construction, the advancement of onshore facilities, and preparations for the deepwater campaign planned for 2027. These milestones are expected to mark the continued integration between the offshore gas fields and the onshore liquefaction unit.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=537232
