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SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF).

The MoU creates a framework for how the two organisations will work together to achieve their common goal of making LNG the fuel of choice for the shipping industry.

Launched in July 2016, SEA\LNG was established to break down the commercial barriers to the uptake of LNG as a marine fuel, while since its inception in October 2013, SGMF has concentrated on safety, operational, and technical aspects in the development of natural gas as a sustainable marine fuel. The MoU expresses their mutual interest in developing a framework for effective cooperation.

Mark Bell, general manager and COO of SGMF, noted: "Through our work on the safety and technical aspects of LNG, SGMF remains wholly focused on promoting safe and responsible operations for gas fuelled ships. The 100 plus members of SGMF represent the whole value chain from supply to end use and our focus remains on safety, technical, contractual, training and competence, environment and gas as fuel industry information. SGMF does not cover the commercial aspect and therefore it will be beneficial to leverage the work of SEA\LNG on this issue. Together, our combined parallel efforts will best serve our respective members and the overall LNG value chain."

Peter Keller, SEA\LNG Chairman and Executive Vice President, Tote, said: "SEA\LNG and SGMF have separate but complementary missions, and we are both wholly committed to the development of natural gas as a marine fuel. This MoU will ensure that our efforts are concentrated on defined areas, enabling us to support each other successfully, and ultimately providing the confidence and demand required for an effective, efficient, and safe global marine LNG value chain by 2020."

The two organisations have pledged to support each other by sharing knowledge, data, and information from their own areas of responsibility that will be of benefit to each other's members.

Part of SEA\LNG's remit is to educate investors and other key stakeholders in the marine transportation value chain. SGMF, through its governance, continues to develop guidelines and best practice with publications, guidance notices, industry statistics, and studies. This data set will be made available to SEA\LNG, and in return, SEA\LNG will be able to support SGMF in promoting coherent best practice throughout the industry.