Japan’s MODEC has won a major contract for Mozambique’s next offshore liquefied natural gas project, reinforcing confidence in one of Africa’s largest energy developments.

The company said June 24 that it will supply the internal turret mooring system for the Coral Norte floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel, a project being developed by Italian energy giant Eni and a consortium of international partners in Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin.

The contract marks another step forward for Coral Norte, which is expected to expand Mozambique’s LNG export capacity and strengthen the country’s position in global energy markets.

The project is designed to process and liquefy natural gas offshore before loading it onto vessels for shipment to customers around the world.

It also comes as Mozambique works to unlock the economic potential of its vast natural gas reserves after years of delays and uncertainty in parts of its energy sector.

While some projects were disrupted by security concerns, Coral Norte has continued to advance offshore.

The development follows several recent construction milestones, bringing the project closer to its targeted start of production in 2028.

Building on Coral Sul’s success

MODEC will deliver the mooring system through its partnership with the Technip Energies-JGC joint venture, which is responsible for constructing the floating production unit.

The system allows the vessel to rotate safely with changing sea and weather conditions while remaining securely anchored to the seabed.

The technology has already been proven in Mozambique. MODEC supplied the same type of mooring system for Coral Sul FLNG, which has been operating in the Rovuma Basin since 2022.

According to the Technip Energies-JGC joint venture, experience gained from Coral Sul has helped shape the design of Coral Norte, with improvements aimed at increasing efficiency and operational reliability.

“Coral Norte is an important milestone for the industry and for Mozambique, and we are honored to contribute to this historic FLNG project,” said Arun Duggal, head of MODEC’s Mooring Solutions business unit.

Major LNG project targets 2028 startup

Eni is developing Coral Norte alongside partners from Mozambique, China, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.

The consortium approved construction of the floating LNG facility in October 2025, while the vessel’s hull was launched at a South Korean shipyard in January 2026.

Once operational, Coral Norte is expected to produce 3.6 million metric tons of LNG annually, nearly double the output of its sister vessel, Coral Sul.

The increase in production is expected to strengthen Mozambique’s role as a growing supplier of natural gas to international markets.

Economic hopes for Mozambique

The project arrives at an important time for Mozambique’s economy. Despite holding some of Africa’s largest natural gas reserves, the country has faced challenges in bringing several energy projects into operation.

Policymakers see Coral Norte as a potential source of jobs, investment and export revenue.

A Standard Bank study published in 2025 estimated that development of the Rovuma Basin could generate about $11 billion in annual economic benefits and support more than 151,000 direct and indirect jobs across Mozambique by 2035.