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Shell signs with AMO for LNG officers
American Maritime Officers and Shell Ship Management Limited today signed a memorandum of understanding through which Shell will begin hiring AMO members to work aboard liquefied natural gas carriers in the company's international fleet."The MOU we signed this morning will create new jobs for AMO members in Shell's large and growing LNG fleet and is expected to significantly expand AMO's position in this strong international market," said the AMO National President. "Our team has been working extensively with Shell, as well as the Maritime Administration, to bring this to fruition for the AMO membership and we are all very proud to be making this stride today."
Shell Ship Management Limited has notified AMO member Capt. John McFadden that he will be "the first U.S. marine officer to join a Shell familiarization course" and that he "will soon be offered a position as master within the Shell LNG fleet" under the MOU signed today.
Shell companies currently manage 31 LNG carriers, and that fleet will grow rapidly over the next two years. Nakilat Shipping (Qatar) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd., recently selected Shell to provide a full range of shipping and marine services for an additional 25 LNG carriers.
"We've been working closely with the U.S. Maritime Administration and AMO to encourage the use of American officers in the specialized LNG shipping trade," said Bob Salmon, general manager of shipping for Shell Trading (U.S.) Company. "Shell is committed to securing the most qualified officers for its maritime fleet operations, as a diverse skill pool drawn from the United States and other countries around the world is essential for us to manage this growth successfully."
The signing ceremony was held at Department of Transportation offices in Washington, D.C. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton has worked with Shell executives, representatives of AMO, and with other international maritime unions in the U.S. and in Europe over the past six months to implement the U.S. LNG crewing initiative that has been a Maritime Administration priority since Connaughton took office.
"This crewing agreement represents sound public policy – increased safety, security, and improved transportation efficiencies – and opens up vital employment opportunities for U.S. mariners in the LNG industry," Connaughton said.
Since January 2005, AMO has aggressively pursued discussions with high-quality companies to secure employment opportunities for the union's base of experienced LNG officers. AMO's first such agreement was reached with Teekay Shipping Corporation, one of the world's leading tanker companies with a significant and expanding presence in the LNG sector. AMO officers are now sailing in senior positions aboard Teekay LNG carriers and tankers.
AMO is currently in negotiations with an international owner/operator of LNG carriers on a unique agreement to establish an LNG observation program that would allow AMO officers to earn the necessary sea time and endorsement to work in the LNG trades without prior experience.
The exclusive agreement under negotiation is expected to establish observation billets for AMO members on Q-class LNG vessels, aboard which the officers would be able to observe the liquefied gas loadings and discharges required to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement. Sailing as LNG observers, AMO members would also earn the necessary sea time to take seagoing jobs with international owner/operators in the LNG trades.
Additionally, AMO has the unique ability among U.S. officers' unions to provide its membership with the necessary training to meet stringent international standards for LNG officers.
In 2007, the LNG Tankship Liquefied Gases course provided by RTM STAR Center was certified to the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators (SIGTTO). RTM STAR Center is a division of the AMO Safety & Education Plan and the primary training provider for AMO members.
STAR Center is the first and only training institution in the U.S. and one of a very small number in the world to provide LNG training certified to SIGTTO standards. STAR Center has expanded the program to include an LNG simulation course on MPRI liquid cargo simulators. Both courses are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.
"AMO is creating opportunities for our members in a sector where there is growing demand for their experience, training and professionalism," the AMO National President said. "The combination of the STAR Center LNG courses and the observation agreement we are now developing will give AMO the ability to expand the base of qualified American LNG officers and meet the demand in this specialized trade."