MODEC has announced it will supply a SOFEC® Internal Turret Mooring System for the Coral Norte FLNG project offshore Mozambique, developed by Eni alongside partners CNPC, ENH, XRG, and KOGAS. The contract award follows a final investment decision reached in October 2025 and a hull launch completed in January 2026 at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard in South Korea—with the first LNG now targeted for 2028.
MODEC awarded mooring system contract for Coral Norte FLNG
The contract positions MODEC at the center of one of Africa’s most consequential offshore gas developments. MODEC will work closely with the Technip Energies–JGC joint venture, a partnership structured to support tight integration and reliable performance across the vessel’s operational life.
Behind Coral Norte sits a five-party ownership structure that reflects both the project’s scale and its strategic weight. Eni leads development alongside CNPC, ENH, XRG, and KOGAS — a consortium spanning Europe, China, Mozambique, and South Korea. That geographic breadth signals the level of international confidence placed in the Rovuma Basin as a major LNG supply source.
Project milestones and timeline driving the contract award
Progress on Coral Norte has moved at a measured but deliberate pace. The final investment decision was reached in October 2025, and the hull launched just three months later at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard. First LNG production is targeted for 2028.
MODEC has been involved since the project’s early stages, with engineering and supply activities tracking in line with the overall timeline. That early engagement carries real practical weight. Turret mooring systems require long lead times and careful integration planning, so alignment from the outset reduces the risk of costly delays further down the schedule. The discipline shown so far reflects the project team’s experience and lessons drawn from Coral Sul, the companion vessel that moved through a similar development path.
Turret mooring system’s role in FLNG operations
A turret mooring system may not be the most visible component of a floating LNG vessel, but it ranks among the most consequential. The system allows the vessel to rotate freely around a fixed point—a process known as “weathervaning”—so it remains oriented to prevailing wind, waves, and currents at all times. Without that capability, an FLNG vessel cannot sustain safe, stable operations in open water.
For Coral Norte, the turret must perform reliably under the specific metocean conditions of the Rovuma Basin, off Mozambique’s northern coast—wind patterns, wave heights, and current behavior—all of which define the engineering requirements from the ground up. Coral Norte is designed as an enhanced replica of Coral Sul, incorporating lessons from that vessel’s design and early operations. The objective is improved efficiency, not a wholesale redesign. When complete, the vessel will add 3.6 MTPA of LNG liquefaction capacity, a meaningful contribution to Mozambique’s developing role as an LNG exporter.
Background: MODEC’s prior work on Coral Sul and regional track record
MODEC’s selection for Coral Norte rests on an established foundation. The company previously delivered the turret mooring system for Coral Sul, and that experience directly informs the current contract scope.
A spokesperson for the Technip Energies–JGC joint venture noted that MODEC’s work on Coral Sul “established a strong operational baseline and demonstrated clear excellence in engineering and execution.” That track record appears to have been a decisive factor in awarding Coral Norte to the same supplier.
Arun Duggal, Head of MODEC’s Mooring Solutions Business Unit, described Coral Norte as “an important milestone for the industry and for Mozambique.” He added that the Coral Sul engagement “set a high bar for safety, reliability, and schedule discipline” and said MODEC intends to continue investing in local capability while building toward future projects in the region. Beyond Coral Sul, MODEC brings decades of experience across FLNG and FPSO projects worldwide, combining advanced engineering with structured execution from design through delivery.
The first gas extraction is expected in 2028
Coral Norte represents a significant step forward for LNG development in Mozambique. MODEC will supply the SOFEC® Internal Turret Mooring System, working alongside the Technip Energies–JGC joint venture. The project is backed by Eni and four international partners, reached its final investment decision in October 2025, and already has a hull in the water. First LNG is targeted for 2028. With 3.6 MTPA of liquefaction capacity planned and a design grounded in the proven Coral Sul model, the project moves forward on a well-established technical and commercial foundation.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
