Posted:
June 12, 2008
BGT Limited has signed a letter of intent with American Maritime Officers to develop a program that will allow AMO members to sail as observers aboard two of the company’s liquefied natural gas carriers in order to earn the necessary sea time and STCW endorsement to work in the LNG trades without prior experience.
"As you have recognized, there is a shortage of qualified LNG officers in the world," wrote Warren Bluestein, president of BGT Limited, in the letter of intent. "BGT would be happy to assist the AMO and the LNG business at large at reducing this shortage by allowing your members access to our vessels and obtain the necessary time onboard to help achieve their required international certification."
The two LNG carriers designated for the AMO-BGT observation program under development each have a capacity of 126,300 cubic meters and are from the same fleet of Aquarius-class LNG carriers previously manned by AMO in licensed positions. The ships are managed by Pronav Ship Management for BGT.
"We were always impressed with the professionalism and dedication of your members to guide our fleet safely through many years of operation," Bluestein wrote in the letter.
The LNG observation program with BGT is the first of three such agreements the union is negotiating to reach this stage. Negotiations with two additional companies are ongoing and letters of intent are pending. One observation agreement under negotiation would include training billets aboard Q-flex LNG carriers.
The ability to provide LNG observation billets is a critical component of AMO’s groundbreaking efforts to expand opportunities for the membership in the international LNG trades, and will add to the union’s unique portfolio of seagoing jobs and training programs available to AMO members interested in careers in LNG transportation.
"The LNG observation programs will give AMO the ability to grow its base of officers who are qualified to work in the LNG trades," said the AMO National President. "As the existing cadre of AMO officers with LNG recency accepts employment with Shell, Teekay, or with one of the other companies we are now in discussions with, we are establishing a pipeline for AMO members without previous LNG experience to enter this trade with all the required training and endorsements."
AMO members already have access to LNG person-in-charge training certified to the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, as well as liquefied gas simulation training on MPRI simulators, at RTM STAR Center.
AMO members who have completed the Tankerman PIC LNG course at STAR Center must also meet the following two requirements to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations:
For more information on LNG career paths, AMO members can contact Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell at (800) 445-4522 ext. 7507 or by .
BGT signs letter of intent for first in series of AMO LNG observation programs under negotiation
BGT Limited has signed a letter of intent with American Maritime Officers to develop a program that will allow AMO members to sail as observers aboard two of the company’s liquefied natural gas carriers in order to earn the necessary sea time and STCW endorsement to work in the LNG trades without prior experience.
"As you have recognized, there is a shortage of qualified LNG officers in the world," wrote Warren Bluestein, president of BGT Limited, in the letter of intent. "BGT would be happy to assist the AMO and the LNG business at large at reducing this shortage by allowing your members access to our vessels and obtain the necessary time onboard to help achieve their required international certification."
The two LNG carriers designated for the AMO-BGT observation program under development each have a capacity of 126,300 cubic meters and are from the same fleet of Aquarius-class LNG carriers previously manned by AMO in licensed positions. The ships are managed by Pronav Ship Management for BGT.
"We were always impressed with the professionalism and dedication of your members to guide our fleet safely through many years of operation," Bluestein wrote in the letter.
The LNG observation program with BGT is the first of three such agreements the union is negotiating to reach this stage. Negotiations with two additional companies are ongoing and letters of intent are pending. One observation agreement under negotiation would include training billets aboard Q-flex LNG carriers.
The ability to provide LNG observation billets is a critical component of AMO’s groundbreaking efforts to expand opportunities for the membership in the international LNG trades, and will add to the union’s unique portfolio of seagoing jobs and training programs available to AMO members interested in careers in LNG transportation.
"The LNG observation programs will give AMO the ability to grow its base of officers who are qualified to work in the LNG trades," said the AMO National President. "As the existing cadre of AMO officers with LNG recency accepts employment with Shell, Teekay, or with one of the other companies we are now in discussions with, we are establishing a pipeline for AMO members without previous LNG experience to enter this trade with all the required training and endorsements."
AMO members already have access to LNG person-in-charge training certified to the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, as well as liquefied gas simulation training on MPRI simulators, at RTM STAR Center.
AMO members who have completed the Tankerman PIC LNG course at STAR Center must also meet the following two requirements to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations:
- Hold a Tankerman PIC DL endorsement and complete sufficient observation time onboard an LNG carrier — a minimum of 45 days
- Participate in three loadings and discharges encompassing at least two commencements (rate up)/completions (rate down) for both the loading and discharging operations
For more information on LNG career paths, AMO members can contact Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell at (800) 445-4522 ext. 7507 or by .