During the period from Fabuary 5th to 11th, 2026, the following international news occurred:
1. Golden Pass LNG gears up for March launch
The first train of the Golden Pass LNG project in Texas, USA, is expected to commence operation in March 2026. Developed jointly by ExxonMobil (70%) and QatarEnergy (30%), the project has a total capacity of approximately 18 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), with each of its three trains having a capacity of about 5.2-6.03 mtpa. The primary natural gas supply is destined for the European market. Its start-up coincides with the planned mid-year commissioning of the first train of QatarEnergy's North Field East expansion project (32 mtpa capacity), which will further increase global LNG supply.
2. Dutch Hydrogen Network receives first green hydrogen
Dutch gas network company Gasunie announced that its subsidiary Hynetwork has injected 32 tonnes of green hydrogen into a hydrogen pipeline section in Rotterdam, marking a significant step in the development of the country's national hydrogen backbone network. This 32-kilometer pipeline will connect the Port of Rotterdam with surrounding industrial users and will eventually be linked to the national hydrogen network and wider European hydrogen infrastructure. The green hydrogen was transported via tanker from Germany. The project aims to support industrial decarbonization and European energy security. However, high costs of green hydrogen and supply-demand mismatches remain major challenges.
3. Biogas to power Viking Line ships through 2026
Nordic ferry operator Viking Line expects that by the first half of 2026, biogas will meet half of the fuel consumption for its vessels operating on the Turku-Stockholm route. The company's newest ships, Viking Glory and Viking Grace, already use a blend of LNG and biogas, significantly reducing sulfur and particulate matter emissions. Viking Line is collaborating with ports in both locations to establish a "green shipping corridor," aiming for a completely fossil-fuel-free route by 2035.
4. Spain energy terminal ready to supply ships with bioLNG
The Mugardos Energy Terminal, operated by Spain's Reganosa Group, has begun supplying ships with bio-Liquefied Natural Gas (bioLNG) bunkering services, aiming to promote decarbonization in the shipping industry. The bioLNG is certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification scheme and can reduce net CO2 emissions by up to 92% compared to heavy fuel oil, aligning with the EU's FuelEU Maritime Regulation requirements for progressively reducing the carbon intensity of marine fuels. Several Spanish ports are building an Atlantic bioLNG corridor to meet regulations mandating renewable fuel bunkering facilities at core EU transport network ports by the mid-2020s.
5. Gasum supplies bioLNG to Svalbard Airport
Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum has begun supplying bio-Liquefied Natural Gas (bioLNG) to Svalbard Airport in Norway. Airport operator Avinor has chosen Gasum's "Biogas Plus" product, which has a carbon intensity of -15 g CO2e/MJ, enabling significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. The bioLNG is transported by container from Stavanger via Tromsø to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard. This move is a key step for Avinor in achieving its 2030 climate goals, aiming to provide a viable decarbonization solution for the high-energy-demand polar environment.
6. Private equity firm mulls sale in Samator Indo Gas
Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners is considering selling its minority stake (approximately 30%) in Samator Indo Gas, Indonesia's largest industrial and medical gases company. CVC acquired the stake for about $155 million in March 2023, partnering with the controlling Harsono family to drive rapid company expansion. Samator Indo Gas operates 58 plants and over 100 refueling stations across 29 provinces. Currently, CVC holds the stake through Matrix Company, while the controlling family retains operational control.
7. LNG industry requires more than 650 ships by 2040
Wood Mackenzie analysis indicates that the global LNG shipping industry will require over 650 new LNG carriers by 2040. Demand is driven by the commissioning of new large-scale LNG supply projects, particularly in the US, and increasingly dispersed trade patterns. Simultaneously, regulations like the EU Emissions Trading System are accelerating the scrapping of older vessels, with 73 ships expected to be dismantled over the next five years. With current newbuild lead times of approximately 2.5-3 years, orders need to be placed soon to secure future capacity. The report expects a recovery in new ordering activity in 2026.
8. SUEZ wins sludge dewatering contract for Hong Kong's largest cavern sewage plant
The SUEZ Group has secured a contract from the Hong Kong Drainage Services Department to provide a sludge dewatering solution for the Shatin Sewage Treatment Works Cavern Relocation project. The project will utilize SUEZ's Dehydris™ Twist technology, co-developed with Bucher Unipektin over more than 15 years, to increase sludge dry solids content from about 3% to no less than 30%. The new facility, expected to be completed by 2030, will be one of Asia's largest cavern sewage treatment plants, supporting Hong Kong's circular economy and carbon reduction goals.
9. Ras Al Khaimah signs $300 million sewage treatment agreement with international consortium
The Ras Al Khaimah government in the UAE has signed a $300 million sewage treatment agreement with a consortium comprising Etihad WE, TAQA Water Solutions, and France's Saur International. This public-private partnership project will follow a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model. It involves building a new sewage treatment plant with an initial capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per day, expandable to 150,000 cubic meters per day, serving approximately 300,000 people. The project also includes supporting sewer networks, pumping stations, and recycled water distribution facilities. This is the Emirate's first PPP wastewater treatment project.
10. Mace-Suez joint venture begins $378m drainage maintenance work in west Qatar
A joint venture between Mace Qatar and SUEZ has commenced operations and maintenance work on the western drainage network in Qatar. The contract is valued at approximately 1.4 billion Qatari Riyals (about $378 million) and covers around 1,375 km of sewer networks, 1,351 km of surface and subsurface drainage pipelines, 213 km of recycled water networks, as well as the Doha West Sewage Treatment Plant and associated pumping stations.
11. Anglian Water boosts East of England's water infrastructure with record year of investment
UK water utility Anglian Water announced it will invest £1.6 billion starting April 2026 to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in the East of England, marking its largest-ever annual investment. Key projects include building strategic water transfer pipelines, replacing 1,000 km of aging water mains, and constructing 35 new stormwater storage tanks. The company will also invest £106 million to support customers in vulnerable situations, although average water bills are expected to rise by 7%. This aims to enhance system resilience, tackle climate challenges, and improve environmental performance.
12. Anglian Water accelerates AMP8 investment with £1.5bn Major Projects Framework tender
UK water company Anglian Water has launched a Major Projects Framework tender worth up to £1.5 billion to advance its AMP8 (2025-2030) investment program. The framework will initially be used for coastal water quality improvement projects valued over £400 million, aiming to reduce storm overflows and bacterial impacts, protect the environment along the East of England coastline, and support regional economic growth.
13. Greece allocates €75.5 million for water scarcity projects across the country
Greece's Ministry of Environment and Energy has approved €75.5 million in funding for 42 projects aimed at addressing water scarcity. This initiative seeks to upgrade the national water supply infrastructure, with a focus on supporting islands and arid regions. The projects include building new desalination plants, replacing aging pipelines, and constructing regional water transfer mains to enhance water supply capacity and efficiency, mitigating the effects of prolonged drought.
14. Uisce Éireann launches procurement for Greater Dublin Drainage and Water Supply Project
Irish Water, Uisce Éireann, has formally launched the procurement process for the Greater Dublin Drainage project and the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project. With a combined total investment exceeding €7 billion, the projects aim to upgrade national drainage and water supply infrastructure to support housing construction and economic growth. The company will advance procurement and planning in parallel to shorten delivery timelines, ensuring a swift transition to the construction phase upon project approval.
15. Mesa's $168m Signal Butte Water Treatment Plant expansion reaches key milestone
The City of Mesa, Arizona's $168 million expansion of the Signal Butte Water Treatment Plant recently reached a key milestone with the completion of a new 8-million-gallon drinking water reservoir. The expansion project aims to double the plant's treatment capacity from 24 million gallons per day to 48 million gallons per day to meet the growing water demand in the East Valley area. The project is scheduled for full completion in the summer of 2027.
16. CABEI strengthens water security in the Dominican Republic through strategic investments
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration continues to support water security in the Dominican Republic, having cumulatively approved collaboration projects worth over $2.9 billion, with more than $1.5 billion already disbursed. Key investments include inter-provincial water transfer projects in the southwest region and the Monte Grande multipurpose dam, among others. These aim to improve drinking water coverage and infrastructure, enhance community climate resilience, secure agricultural irrigation, and promote sustainable development.
17. Sabesp secures US$1.5 billion to boost sanitation investments in São Paulo
Brazil's São Paulo state water utility, SABESP, has secured $1.5 billion in financing from institutions including IDB Invest and Goldman Sachs to accelerate achieving universal sewage collection and treatment service coverage in the state. The program plans to increase coverage from 85% to 99%, achieving the national target four years ahead of schedule and benefiting 2.5 million people. The financing includes a $200 million Class A loan and a $1.35 billion Class B bond issuance, the latter being the largest blue bond issuance globally on record. The funds will be used to expand and upgrade wastewater treatment facilities and improve environmental and social risk management.