New seafaring jobs on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) vessels will go to Americans licensed as ships’ officers under an agreement reached between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Shell International Trading Company. Under the agreement, Shell becomes one of the first major oil producers to actively recruit American seafarers for its growing fleet of 25 new LNG vessels, all of which will be put into service in the next four years. “The growing worldwide demand in the LNG industry creates a significant opportunity for the U.S. maritime industry," said Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton. LNG vessels are the fastest-growing segment of the international shipping industry, and require highly skilled seafarers to crew them, Connaughton said.
