SUEZ LNG implements U.S. Citizen Crewing Agreement

SUEZ LNG, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Academy), and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P) announced an agreement to recruit, train, and supply U.S citizen mariners for service on the LNG tankers owned or chartered by SUEZ LNG. SUEZ LNG, in compliance with the deepwater port license agreement signed with Maritime Administrator, Sean T. Connaughton, will collaborate with both the Academy and the MM&P Union to train and employ U.S. citizen crew members on up to nine LNG vessels operating in the SUEZ fleet. As such, the MM&P Union will screen and provide resumes for mariners from 3rd Mate to Master and from 3rd Assistant Engineer to Chief Engineer. The Academy will also provide resumes for cadets and graduates who will be licensed next month and beyond as 3rd Mates and 3rd Assistant Engineers. Academy cadets will be assigned, as necessary, to the LNG vessels to complete one or more of their commercial cruises. Other Academy cadet shore side training opportunities will be provided for those cadets selected for service onboard the SUEZ LNG fleet. Both the Union’s Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) faculty and the Academy’s faculty will work to produce LNG course material and advanced training sessions approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, International Maritime Organization, and the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators. The Academy will also develop course materials and provide instruction to supply an adequate number of U.S. mariners to SUEZ LNG (to comply with the U.S. Maritime Administration agreement to man 25% U.S. crews on up to three vessels delivering LNG to the Neptune Deepwater Port, located in Massachusetts Bay and 10% U.S. crew on up to six additional vessels that will be operating internationally). Compliance with the manning percentages specified by the Maritime Administration deepwater port license agreement must be met by September 30, 2012. The training of LNG officers/crew will take place at both the Academy and MITAGS based upon the needs and requirements of SUEZ LNG to man specific vessels.