1. SEFE Signs Heads of Agreement with Ksi Lisims LNG for 1 MTPA Supply
German state-owned energy company SEFE has signed a binding heads of agreement with Canada's Ksi Lisims LNG project for the purchase of 1 million tonnes per year of LNG on a free-on-board basis, with deliveries expected to commence in the early 2030s. The Ksi Lisims LNG project, located on British Columbia's north coast, proposes a 12 mtpa floating LNG production facility. The agreement represents continued progress in Europe's search for alternatives to Russian pipeline gas, while also providing important commercial underpinning for Canada's west coast LNG export capacity development. SEFE stated that this procurement will help ensure the long-term stability and diversification of natural gas supply for Germany and Europe.
2. CB&I Awarded Contract for Five LNG Storage Tanks at Commonwealth LNG
US engineering firm CB&I has received a full notice to proceed from Technip Energies for the construction of five full-containment concrete LNG storage tanks at the Commonwealth LNG project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Commonwealth LNG has a designed capacity of approximately 9.3 mtpa and is one of the US LNG export projects to have reached a final investment decision in 2026. CB&I is a global leader in LNG storage tank construction, and this contract further consolidates its central role in LNG infrastructure development along the US Gulf Coast. The project is expected to bring significant new capacity to the global LNG market.
3. Construction Begins at Port of Gothenburg for Bio-LNG Facility
Swedish energy infrastructure company Nordion Energi has commenced construction of a liquefied biogas (bio-LNG) production facility at the Port of Gothenburg, Scandinavia's largest port. The facility will utilise biomethane produced from organic waste, liquefied to provide low-carbon marine fuel for the Nordic shipping industry. Once completed, it will be one of the largest bio-LNG production sites in the Nordic region. The project aligns with the EU FuelEU Maritime regulation on shipping decarbonisation and is expected to contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions from Nordic maritime transport.
4. JGC Launches Standardised FLNG Design Package Development
Japan's JGC Holdings Corporation and its subsidiary JGC Corporation have announced the launch of a standardised design package for floating LNG production, storage, and offloading (FLNG) facilities. The design package aims to provide fast, economically viable FLNG solutions for small and medium-sized offshore gas fields worldwide. Compared with traditional bespoke FLNG projects, the standardised design can substantially shorten construction timelines and reduce capital expenditure, helping unlock offshore gas resources previously considered uneconomic due to scale limitations. This move signals an important step for the FLNG industry towards productisation and modularisation.
5. Mercuria and Motor Oil Hellas Sign MoU for Dioriga Gas FSRU in Greece
Global energy trader Mercuria and Greek oil company Motor Oil Hellas have signed a memorandum of understanding for long-term cooperation on the Dioriga Gas floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in the Saronic Gulf, Greece. The FSRU project is designed to enhance Greece's and Southeastern Europe's LNG import capacity, with an expected annual regasification capacity of 5.5 billion cubic metres. Greece is accelerating the construction of LNG reception facilities to consolidate its position as a Southeastern European energy hub. This project, the country's third FSRU, will further reduce the region's dependence on Russian pipeline gas.
6. QatarEnergy, Egypt and ExxonMobil Sign MoU on Cyprus Gas Development
QatarEnergy has signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian government and ExxonMobil to jointly study the development and commercialisation of Cyprus offshore gas discoveries via Egypt's existing LNG export facilities. The cooperation will assess the feasibility of exporting Cyprus gas through Egypt's idle LNG liquefaction capacity, primarily at the Idku and Damietta plants. The Eastern Mediterranean has seen substantial gas discoveries in recent years, and this trilateral partnership is expected to advance the commercialisation of regional gas resources while reinforcing Egypt's strategic position as an Eastern Mediterranean gas hub.
7. Axpo and Carnival Corp. Complete Naples' First Cruise Ship LNG Bunkering
Swiss energy company Axpo has successfully completed the first-ever LNG bunkering of a cruise ship at the Port of Naples, Italy, refuelling Princess Cruises' Sun Princess. The operation marks an important milestone in the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure for cruise ships in Italy. Sun Princess is one of Carnival Corporation's new-generation LNG-powered cruise ships; using LNG as primary fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 20% and virtually eliminate sulphur oxides and particulate matter. The Mediterranean cruise sector is accelerating its transition to LNG propulsion, and this successful operation paves the way for further expansion of the regional LNG bunkering network.
8. Seaspan Energy and MOL Sign Annual LNG Bunkering Agreement for Port of Vancouver
Canada's Seaspan Energy has secured an annual term LNG bunkering contract with Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) for car carriers calling at the Port of Vancouver, one of North America's busiest west coast ports. The agreement signals that the North American west coast LNG marine fuel market is entering a phase of scaled-up commercial operations. Seaspan Energy has deployed a dedicated LNG bunkering vessel capable of providing efficient and safe refuelling services year-round to various LNG-powered vessels, strongly supporting the shipping industry's pursuit of IMO 2030 emission reduction targets.
9. Eni Signs Three Long-Term LNG Supply Agreements in Indonesia
Italian energy major Eni has signed three long-term LNG purchase agreements with sellers from the South Hub and North Hub gas projects in Indonesia. Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia's largest LNG exporters, and these agreements will strengthen Eni's LNG portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region. Eni is increasing its investment in Southeast Asian gas assets to capture the region's rapidly growing LNG demand. The deals reflect continued appetite among international buyers for long-term LNG offtake from established Asian producers.
10. Ofiniti Acquires Teqplay to Expand LNG Bunkering Operational Intelligence
Rotterdam-based maritime technology company Ofiniti has acquired Dutch peer Teqplay, extending its capabilities from LNG bunkering execution and documentation into real-time operational intelligence. Teqplay's AI-driven platform integrates AIS vessel tracking, port scheduling, and weather data to optimise LNG bunkering dispatch and safety in real time. The acquisition reflects an accelerating digitalisation trend in the LNG bunkering sector, with intelligent operational solutions becoming a key enabler of efficiency across the small-scale LNG supply chain.
11. IEA Releases Global Methane Tracker 2026, Spotlight on Gas Sector Emissions
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released its Global Methane Tracker 2026, reporting that global energy sector methane emissions stood at approximately 120 million tonnes in 2025, with the oil and gas industry accounting for roughly 40%. The report emphasises that around 75% of oil and gas sector methane emissions can be abated using existing technologies, with the majority of measures being zero-net-cost or even net-profitable. The EU Methane Regulation came into full effect for imported LNG in 2026, requiring exporters to provide compliant methane emissions data. This is reshaping global gas trade dynamics and driving upstream producers to increase methane abatement investment.
12. Nigeria-Morocco Trans-African Gas Pipeline Project Advances
Nigeria and Morocco continue to advance the approximately 6,900-kilometre African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, with a total estimated investment of US$25 billion. The pipeline is planned to run from Nigeria through 11 West African coastal nations to Morocco, with an ultimate connection to the European gas network. In 2026, the two countries have established a joint venture and are progressing intergovernmental agreements, steadily moving the project towards the front-end engineering and design phase. Once completed, the pipeline will be Africa's longest gas transmission trunkline, with the potential to supply clean energy to West African countries along the route while providing Europe with an additional significant supply source beyond Russia.
13. California's Sites Reservoir Secures Federal Approval, Construction to Begin in 2026
California's Sites Reservoir project received its Record of Decision from the Bureau of Reclamation in January 2026, completing the primary federal environmental review and clearing the way for construction to begin within 2026. Located in the Sacramento Valley, the off-stream reservoir will not dam any natural river and will have a total storage capacity of 1.5 million acre-feet (approximately 1.85 billion cubic metres). With an estimated total investment of approximately US$3.5 billion, it is California's largest new surface water storage project in over 50 years. The reservoir will capture water from the Sacramento River during wet periods and release it during dry seasons, significantly enhancing California's climate resilience against drought. The federal government has committed to covering no more than 25% of construction costs.
14. China's Shuangjiangkou Dam Begins Water Storage, Set to Become World's Tallest at 315 Metres
The Shuangjiangkou hydropower dam on the Dadu River in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, has officially entered the water storage phase. The gravel-earth core rockfill dam, with a maximum height of 315 metres, is currently the tallest dam under construction in the world and will retain that status until Tajikistan's Rogun Dam eventually surpasses it. With a total fill volume of 45 million cubic metres and a total investment of approximately RMB 49 billion, the project incorporates a 2,000 MW hydropower station. It is a key project under China's clean energy and western development initiatives, and will significantly enhance water resource regulation and flood control capacity across the Dadu River basin.
15. China Launches 15 Major Water Projects in Q1 2026 with RMB 147.5 Billion Investment
China's Ministry of Water Resources reported solid progress in water infrastructure construction in the first quarter of 2026, with 15 new major water conservancy projects launched and both the number of projects under construction and completed investment reaching record highs for the period. Nationwide water conservancy investment in Q1 reached approximately RMB 147.5 billion, covering large reservoirs, water diversion projects, irrigation district upgrades, and small and medium-sized river management. Water infrastructure investment has become an important pillar for economic stabilisation and employment promotion, and total investment is expected to remain at elevated levels throughout 2026.
16. China's 15th Five-Year Plan Proposes RMB 5 Trillion for Underground Pipeline Networks
China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) has designated underground pipeline network construction as a major infrastructure investment priority, with preliminary planning totalling approximately RMB 5 trillion and targeting the construction and renovation of approximately 770,000 kilometres of various underground pipelines. Water supply and drainage networks form the core components, aimed at addressing urban water supply pipeline ageing and leakage as well as insufficient drainage system capacity. The investment scale far exceeds pipeline spending under the 14th Five-Year Plan, reflecting the Chinese government's strong emphasis on urban water infrastructure renewal and resilience, and is expected to drive sector-wide improvement across the water industry value chain.
17. Austin Breaks Ground on $1.5 Billion Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Austin Water and city leaders have broken ground on the US$1.5 billion expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Texas, marking one of the largest municipal infrastructure investments in the city's history. The expansion will increase treatment capacity from 75 million gallons per day to 100 million gallons per day to accommodate the continued population and economic growth in the Austin metropolitan area. The project will deploy advanced biological treatment and disinfection technologies, substantially improving effluent quality while reducing energy consumption. The project is expected to be delivered in phases, with the first phase coming online before 2030.
18. American Water Unveils $48 Billion Ten-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan
American Water, the largest publicly traded US water and wastewater utility, has announced plans to invest between US$46 billion and US$48 billion over the next decade to upgrade and modernise its water and wastewater infrastructure across the country. Investment priorities include replacing ageing water mains, upgrading water treatment processes, enhancing system resilience against extreme weather, and advancing smart metering and water resource management digitalisation. American Water serves approximately 14 million people across 14 states, and this plan represents one of the largest capital investment programmes ever undertaken in the US water industry.
19. India's DRIP Dam Rehabilitation Programme to Cover 736 Dams at a Cost of Rs 10,211 Crore
India's Ministry of Jal Shakti has provided an update on Phases II and III of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), which together cover 736 dams across 19 states and three central agencies, with a total investment of approximately Rs 10,211 crore (roughly RMB 8.8 billion). The programme is one of the world's largest dam rehabilitation initiatives, encompassing structural safety assessments, gate and spillway repairs, monitoring instrumentation upgrades, and the establishment of dam safety management systems. India has over 5,700 large dams, many of which were built in the mid-20th century and face ageing risks. Advancing DRIP is critical to safeguarding the safety of hundreds of millions of downstream residents.
20. UAE's EtihadWE Awards $285 Million EPC Contract for Fujairah Desalination Plant
UAE federal utility Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has signed a US$285 million engineering, procurement, and construction contract with a joint venture of NMDC Infra and Spain's Lantania for the Fujairah seawater desalination plant. The facility will employ seawater reverse osmosis technology with a daily production capacity of approximately 450,000 cubic metres of desalinated water, making it a key project for EtihadWE's water production capacity expansion and supply resilience. Located on the UAE's east coast, the plant will serve residential, commercial, and industrial water demand in Fujairah and surrounding areas, particularly ensuring reliable supply during peak summer periods. The investment reflects the Gulf states' ongoing strategic emphasis on scaling up desalination infrastructure.
21. Australia's Toowoomba to Warwick Water Pipeline Secures $300 Million Funding
The Queensland Government has confirmed more than A$300 million in funding for the Toowoomba to Warwick raw water pipeline project. Spanning approximately 120 kilometres, the pipeline will convey raw water from Wivenhoe Dam to the southern Darling Downs region, providing long-term secure water supply for communities including Warwick and Stanthorpe. The Darling Downs region has faced persistent drought challenges in recent years, and the pipeline will fundamentally address regional water security once completed. Construction contractor tendering is currently underway, with construction expected to commence before 2027.
22. Sydney Water Unveils $32 Billion Ten-Year Investment Plan Including $3 Billion Malabar Programme
Sydney Water has published a ten-year, A$32 billion infrastructure investment plan covering the full water cycle from supply to wastewater treatment and stormwater management. A key component is the Malabar wastewater treatment system investment programme of approximately A$3 billion, aimed at reducing the volume of effluent discharged through the Malabar deep-ocean outfall to address pollution issues at Sydney's beaches. The plan also includes new and upgraded treatment plants, replacement of ageing pipe networks, and construction of recycled water reuse facilities. The investment programme underscores the priority Australia's largest city is placing on water infrastructure modernisation and water environment improvement.
23. US Interior Department Allocates $889 Million for Western Water Infrastructure
The US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation has announced an US$889 million allocation through the H.R. 1 Act for water infrastructure across 17 Western states. California receives US$540 million, with key allocations including US$235 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal, US$200 million for the Friant-Kern Canal, and US$40 million for preliminary design of Shasta Dam raise. Combined with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, this allocation forms the largest federal water infrastructure investment portfolio since the Central Valley Project was built in the mid-20th century, and is expected to drive a near-decade-long boom in water infrastructure construction.
24. Shimmick Pivots to Water and Climate Resilience Contracts in Q1 2026
US infrastructure engineering firm Shimmick Corporation reported its Q1 2026 results, disclosing a structural pivot from legacy fixed-price infrastructure projects toward higher-margin water and climate resilience contracts. The company's water-related contract backlog stood at approximately US$289 million, covering wastewater treatment plant construction, levee reinforcement, and stormwater management system upgrades. Although Q1 recorded a loss, management expressed cautious optimism about the company's project pipeline and market positioning. The pivot reflects the sustained pull-through effect of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act on water sector investment, with a growing number of engineering contractors viewing water infrastructure as a strategic growth area.