NASSAU, BAHAMAS: FOCOL Holdings and Shell’s New Providence Gas joint venture has signed another major infrastructure agreement as it moves to develop its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply operation, selecting ECOnnect Energy to provide the floating terminal that will enable LNG imports into New Providence.
ECOnnect Energy announced yesterday that it has signed an agreement with New Providence Gas Ltd. (NPG), the joint venture between Shell Bahamas Power Company Inc. and FOCOL subsidiary Sun Oil Holdings Ltd., to deliver an IQuay C-Class floating LNG import terminal.
The unit, named La Santa Maria, is expected to depart Norway this autumn and will become a key component of the wider Bahamas LNG import project.
Once operational, the system will enable LNG imports to New Providence, where the fuel is expected to support electricity generation as a cleaner and potentially more affordable alternative to the oil-based fuels traditionally used by Bahamas Power & Light (BPL).
ECOnnect said its IQuay C-Class differs from conventional LNG import terminals that typically require fixed jetties and extensive coastal construction. The floating offshore transfer system instead connects LNG carriers directly to onshore storage.
The company said this approach significantly reduces marine construction, limits disturbance to coastal environments and allows critical energy infrastructure to be deployed more quickly.
“This is about enabling access to better energy solutions where they are needed most. With this project, we are helping secure energy supply while reducing energy poverty and local pollution,” said Morten Christophersen, chief executive of ECOnnect Energy.
“For island nations like in the Bahamas, flexibility and reliability is critical. We are proud to be working alongside our partners in Focol and Shell on such an important project.”
The agreement is the latest announced by the FOCOL-Shell joint venture as it assembles the infrastructure and operational components for the New Providence LNG development.
FOCOL and Shell recently announced a separate agreement appointing px Group as operations and maintenance partner for the Clifton Pier LNG regasification terminal. px Group will support commissioning and operational readiness before taking responsibility for the facility’s long-term operation and maintenance.
New Providence Gas is 60 percent owned by FOCOL’s Sun Oil Holdings, with Shell holding the remaining 40 percent.
The terminal is being developed to receive, store and regasify LNG for delivery as natural gas to power generation facilities on New Providence. The project is intended to increase fuel diversity and energy security while providing a lower-emissions alternative to heavy fuel oil and diesel.
ECOnnect said the Bahamas agreement represents its second major contract signing of 2026, following a recently announced project in Colombia. The company has delivered and operational systems across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
