en.Wedoany.com Reported - MODEC has announced that it has been awarded a contract for the mooring system of the Coral Norte FLNG project offshore Mozambique, and will provide a SOFEC internal turret mooring system. The project is being developed by Eni in partnership with CNPC, ENH, XRG, and KOGAS. The contract was formally awarded following the Final Investment Decision in October 2025, and after the hull was launched at Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje shipyard in South Korea in January 2026.
Under the contract, MODEC will work closely with the Technip Energies-JGC joint venture to ensure high integration and reliable performance of the turret mooring system throughout the vessel's operational life. The Coral Norte project is supported by a five-party ownership structure, with participants spanning Europe, China, Mozambique, and South Korea, reflecting international confidence in the Rovuma Basin as a major source of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply.
The Coral Norte project is progressing at a steady pace. The Final Investment Decision was reached in October 2025, the hull was launched at Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje shipyard three months later, and first LNG production is targeted for 2028. MODEC has been involved since the early stages of the project, with engineering and supply activities aligned with the overall project schedule. The turret mooring system requires long lead times and meticulous integration planning; early involvement helps mitigate the risk of subsequent schedule delays. The project team has drawn on development experience from the sister vessel, Coral Sul.
The turret mooring system is one of the key components of a floating LNG vessel, allowing the vessel to rotate freely around a fixed point—a "weathervaning" effect—enabling it to maintain the correct orientation relative to prevailing wind, wave, and current conditions. For the Coral Norte project, the turret must operate reliably under the specific marine meteorological conditions of the Rovuma Basin in northern Mozambique, including wind patterns, wave heights, and current regimes. Coral Norte is designed as an enhanced version of Coral Sul, incorporating previous design and operational experience, with the goal of improving efficiency rather than a complete redesign. Once completed, the vessel will add 3.6 million tonnes per annum of LNG liquefaction capacity.
MODEC previously provided the turret mooring system for the Coral Sul FLNG project, and this track record was a key factor in securing the Coral Norte contract. A spokesperson for the Technip Energies-JGC joint venture stated that MODEC's work on Coral Sul established a strong operational baseline, demonstrating excellent capabilities in engineering and execution. Arun Duggal, Head of MODEC's Mooring Solutions Business Unit, described Coral Norte as a significant milestone for the industry and Mozambique, stating that the company will continue to invest in local capabilities and prepare for future projects in the region.
The Coral Norte project represents a key step in the development of Mozambique's LNG industry. The project is being advanced by Eni together with four international partners, with the Final Investment Decision passed in October 2025, the hull already launched, and first LNG targeted for 2028. With a planned liquefaction capacity of 3.6 million tonnes per annum and a design based on the proven Coral Sul model, the project is progressing steadily on both technical and commercial foundations.
