Samsung Heavy Industries launched the hull of the Coral Norte FLNG vessel for Eni. This second FLNG unit for the Coral field offshore Mozambique is very similar to the existing Coral Sul vessel.

Vessel Specifications and Project Details

The Coral Norte FLNG is 432 meters long and 66 meters wide, with a liquefaction capacity of 3.6 million tonnes per annum (tpa). It is scheduled for deployment in Mozambique's Rovuma basin in 2028. The project, which received a $7.2 billion final investment decision three months ago, will develop gas from the northern part of the Coral field. A $637 million preliminary construction agreement was signed with Samsung in July 2025.

Construction Consortium and Impact

Samsung is constructing the vessel in partnership with Technip Energies and JGC, who are responsible for the topsides engineering, procurement, and construction. Upon completion, Coral Norte is expected to double Mozambique's LNG output to 7 million tpa, making the country Africa's third-largest LNG producer and exporter.

Samsung's FLNG Business and Other Projects

Samsung Heavy Industries aims to secure orders for one to two FLNG units annually. Beyond Coral Norte, the company is building a third FLNG vessel, ZLNG, for Petronas in Malaysia. The Delfin FLNG project in the US is also progressing, with a final investment decision anticipated soon. To date, Samsung has secured six of the ten FLNG units ordered globally and has delivered four vessels.

Significance for Mozambique

The project is significant for Mozambique's economy. It is expected to generate tax revenues, help stabilize the national balance of payments, and provide funds for public programs in education, health, and infrastructure, as well as create jobs for young Mozambicans.

Broader Coral Field Development

The Coral field is one of three major gas discoveries in Area 4, which collectively hold about 85 trillion cubic feet of gas. The remaining resources are planned for phased development via subsea wells connected to onshore LNG facilities near Palma. ExxonMobil's 18 million tpa Rovuma LNG onshore project is targeting a final investment decision for 2026.