Booming LNG sector sees huge opportunities for Brookes Bell USA

Brookes Bell’s United States division is thriving, building on Houston’s position as one of the most important maritime hubs in the world. Since the acquisition of 3D Marine in 2021, the company has established a large and diverse team of experts in Houston, including Master Mariners, naval architects, and marine engineers.

“We have grown significantly here,” says Martin Twomey, Marine Engineer and Director of Brookes Bell USA. “And that growth is continuing. We are expanding across the US, and taken on new recruits recently, with more joining soon. It’s an exciting time on this side of the pond.”

Powerhouse location

Houston is the busiest port in the United States in terms of overall tonnage and the fourth busiest for foreign tonnage. The port alone contributes around US$439 billion to Texas’ economy, representing nearly 20% of the state’s GDP. Being at the heart of such a vibrant maritime economy gives Brookes Bell direct access to a wide variety of work, from tanker disputes and offshore energy to complex cargo claims.

“The Gulf of Mexico is booming,” says Martin. “With new LNG export terminals such as Port Arthur LNG, Rio Grande LNG, and Commonwealth LNG being developed, we are perfectly positioned to support that growth with LNG tanker expertise and related services.”

The Houston team already offers a comprehensive range of marine and technical consultancy services, including expert witness testimony, hull and machinery investigations, cargo damage surveys, metallurgical analysis, and fuel chemistry. These capabilities are matched across Brookes Bell’s global network, creating a true 24-hour service for clients. Recent hires include a US-based fire and explosion expert as well as a fuel chemist who covers petroleum products, gases, and chemical cargoes directly from Houston.

Martin sees this local capability as a major advantage. “It’s a relationship market. For routine P&I and hull and machinery work, clients prefer to appoint someone local. With our people based in Houston, New Orleans, New York, and the West Coast, we can respond quickly and bring the full weight of Brookes Bell’s expertise to any location.”

Expanding the reach

While Houston is the headquarters, the team’s work spans Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Deploying its own surveyors ensures consistent quality and independence for every assignment. The re-establishment of the New Orleans base earlier this year adds further coverage in the Gulf region, while plans to grow the New York/New Jersey team and explore Miami will deepen the company’s reach into key maritime and insurance markets.

Brookes Bell USA is deeply involved in sectors that are driving change in the Americas. Offshore oil and gas activity has rebounded, the LNG sector is expanding rapidly, and general cargo surveys continue across steel, rice, grain, and other commodities. Inland waterway work on the Mississippi remains significant, reflecting the company’s ability to work across a wide spectrum of vessels, cargoes, and industries.

Martin also points to opportunities in the land-based market, from warehouse fires to industrial incidents ashore. “We are well known in marine, but there’s a huge opportunity to bring our services to non-marine law practices and insurers. We’re actively promoting our fire, explosion, and technical services to that audience.”

A confident future

With Houston as a strong base, a growing team of specialists, and an expanding footprint across the Americas, Brookes Bell USA is set for continued success. “It’s a big market from Canada to South America, and from here we can be almost anywhere in a few hours,” says Martin. “We have the expertise, the locations, and the momentum to keep growing.”