Venture Global LNG’s tanker, Venture Bayou, has departed from the Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana, carrying the first LNG cargo produced at the facility. The vessel is expected to head to Brunsbuttel, Germany and will likely arrive there by Jan. 8.

Venture Global has now sent more than 60 LNG cargoes to Germany since 2022, according to Reuters.

Similar to Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass project, Plaquemines has exported its first cargo well ahead of the US Department of Energy’s requirement to commence exports within seven years from issuance of the Non-FTA export authorization.

“In just five years, Venture Global has built, produced and launched exports from two large-scale LNG projects which has never been done before in the history of the industry,” the company’s CEO Mike Sabel said in a statement.

Venture Global operates two LNG plants in Louisiana, including the Plaquemines export plant, which has a capacity of 20 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) and has recently begun producing its first LNG.

The plant, worth over $2.35 billion, will produce and export LNG while construction and commissioning continues for the remainder of the project’s 36 trains and associated facilities.

Once fully completed, the Plaquemines plant will be one of the largest LNG facilities in the world, helping to maintain the US’s position as the world’s largest LNG exporter.

Earlier this month, Venture Global filed for what could be one of the largest initial public offerings globally next year.