Total joins SEALNG coalition to encourage liquefied natural gas usage

French oil and gas major Total has joined SEALNG, a multi-sector industry coalition that was established to encourage the global adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.

As an international company, Total is involved throughout the entire LNG chain. It carries out natural gas extraction from onshore and offshore sources, ships it to the process plant and delivers process gas to customers through regasification terminals.

In 2015, Total Group has produced 10.2 million tonnes of LNG.

The company intends to increase its liquefaction capacity to around 20 metric tons per year (MT/y) and expand its LNG trading portfolio to 15MT/y by 2020.

SEALNG chairman Peter Keller said: “SEALNG is pleased to welcome Total. The company has significant LNG interests integrated across its supply chain and ambitious growth plans.

"We look forward to working together with the aim of delivering significant business and environmental benefits to the shipping industry.”

Total Marine Fuels managing director Olivier Jouny said: “Our mission as an integrated oil company is to offer global and compliant solutions to our customers to meet the 2020 Global Cap requirements recently set by the International Maritime Organisation.

“Total has a long historical activity in the bunker industry and is also a strong worldwide LNG player, thus providing the required conditions to position the company on this emerging LNG bunker market, with the objective to be a key player.

“Total’s ambition is to become the responsible energy major and the group strongly supports the SEALNG drive to make LNG the preferred clean marine fuel of the future.”

SEALNG will serve as a not-for-profit collaborative industry foundation. The group includes shipping companies, classification societies, ports, major LNG suppliers, downstream companies, infrastructure providers and original equipment manufacturers.

It has been created to study and resolve all market barriers for LNG adoption and increase its usage as a marine fuel.

Guided by a board, every member organisation has stated its commitment to share data analysis and knowledge that will assist in SEALNG initiatives. The coalition is led by Peter Keller as its chairman.