# MARAD Approves Louisiana Deepwater Port License

On November 5, 2026, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) approved a deepwater port license for Blue Marlin Offshore Port, LLC, covering a proposed $1 billion crude-oil export facility about 99 miles off Louisiana. The project is designed to handle up to 2 million barrels per day and is expected to support up to 1,052 construction jobs. This is a licensing milestone—not a construction contract award or solicitation—and the announcement provides no bid schedule or procurement contact.

- The approval advances a major offshore energy infrastructure project and may lead to demand for construction, marine, logistics, and equipment capabilities; no specific procurements or awards are identified yet.
- Companies interested in potential project work should distinguish the license approval from a government contracting opportunity: the project is proposed by Blue Marlin Offshore Port, LLC, and no solicitation details are provided.
- The announcement identifies MARAD as the licensing agency and the project location as offshore Louisiana, useful context for firms assessing Gulf Coast energy infrastructure opportunities.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Transportation
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- Maritime Administration (MARAD)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

### Vendors
- Blue Marlin Offshore Port, LLC (deepwater port license applicant)

### Key Quotes
> Authorizing the Blue Marlin deepwater port license—our fourth such approval under the Trump Administration— demonstrates our ability to safely accelerate critical energy projects that bolster our supply chains and lower energy prices.
> — Stephen M. Carmel, MARAD Administrator

> Building this port will unleash domestic production, create more than 1,000 good-paying construction jobs along the Gulf of America, and open vital supply lines to global markets that will solidify our nation as the world’s largest energy exporter.
> — Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

### Sources
- [Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Approves $1 Billion Blue Marlin Offshore Port License to Unleash American Energy Dominance | US Department of Transportation](https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-approves-1-billion-blue-marlin-offshore) - DOT