An unprecedented LNG tanker crew agreement was signed by Mr. Richard Mellor, General Manager for Ship Management, Shell Trading (US) and Mr. Tom Bethel, National President of American Maritime Officers union (AMO).

Under the terms of the agreement, Shell will immediately begin to hire U.S. citizen officers to crew its 25 new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels. Shell, a world leader in LNG shipping is committed to securing first rate mariners for its international fleet and is the first major oil operator to recruit American mariners for its LNG fleet. Worldwide, American mariners have a well-earned reputation for a high degree of skill in ship operations.

Shell and American Maritime Officers will cooperate in the recruitment of trained American ship operators for the LNG fleet. AMO welcomes the opportunity to enter the international job market.

The signing took place at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton, who spoke at the signing, was instrumental in brokering this agreement between Shell and AMO.