ABS forms Global Gas Solutions Team

ABS has formed a Global Gas Solutions Team to leverage the organisation's LNG and LPG capabilities. This group of experienced gas professionals will work alongside owners, shipyards and equipment manufacturers to provide an extensive range of services to the growing LNG and LPG market.

ABS Chairman and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki, said: "This team will comprise highly experienced technical professionals that will provide support throughout a project's lifecycle to meet the specific needs of our marine, inland waterways and offshore energy clients."

Patrick Janssens will lead the organisation as Vice President for Global Gas Solutions. Janssens is currently the ABS Vice President for LNG with responsibility for projects in Europe and Asia. He previously was Senior Vice President of Technology at FLEX LNG where he focused on the development of floating LNG (FLNG) liquefaction projects. Janssens was also Chief Technical Officer at Exmar, where he was in charge of the development of the world's first LNG regasification vessels and many newbuilding projects with major shipyards worldwide.

An important area of focus for the ABS Global Gas Solutions Team will be the growing gas market in the USA.

Roy Bleiberg will assume the new role of Director of US Gas Development. Bleiberg, currently the Director of Engineering for ABS Americas,  brings more than 24 years of global marine and offshore systems experience to the position as well as an in-depth knowledge of US Federal and state regulatory requirements. He leads ABS class activities on several cutting edge US LNG projects, including the Harvey Gulf dual fuel offshore support vessels, TOTE's dual fuel new construction and conversion projects, and various floating LNG (FLNG) export terminal projects in development.

Kurt Larsen will assume the role of Director of US Gas Operations and Performance. Larsen currently serves as Assistant Chief Surveyor within the Corporate Classification Department where he oversees all global survey issues for new construction and in-service LNG vessels. He has more than 24 years of experience with an extensive working knowledge of in-service LNG vessels. 

Joining Bleiberg and Larsen will be a US-based team of ABS gas specialists with extensive knowledge of LNG floating structures and systems, gas fuel systems and equipment, and regulatory and statutory requirements. Utilising its global experience, the team also will assist clients with specification reviews, risk and hazard assessments, bunkering suitability reviews, new construction project management and training.

Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/27082013/abs_forms_global_gas_solutions_team_228/