GTT subsidiaries win LNG bunker barge training contract

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has announced that its subsidiaries, GTT North America Inc. and GTT Training Ltd, have been awarded a contract for the development and implementation of a comprehensive LNG training programme for an LNG bunker barge under construction at Conrad Industries Shipyard in Orange, Texas, US.

This contract follows an initial order that GTT North America received from Conrad Industries in February 2015. The contract was executed with the 2200 m³ LNG bunker barge's owner, TOTE, to initiate the programme for training of the tug and LNG barge crew, which will ultimately be subject to US Coast Guard (USCG) approval.

Currently, no LNG specific competency and training standards exist for LNG barges that can serve as the basis to establish crew credentials and qualifications by the Flag authorities. GTT North America will collaborate with its sister company, GTT Training, STAR Center, an internationally recognised and USCG accredited LNG training centre located near Miami, Florida, and TOTE to fully develop the training programme and obtain the necessary approval from USCG.

Peter Keller, Executive Vice President of TOTE, said: "We are excited to partner with GTT and other stakeholders in developing a training programme that sets the standard for safety when working with LNG."

Philippe Berterottière, Chief Executive Officer of GTT, added: "We are proud and honored by this agreement with TOTE. It demonstrates GTT group's capability to provide TOTE a wide range of services, beyond the containment system technology, to assure their personnel are certified and competent to safely conduct all operations related to the LNG bunker barge."

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/03052016/gtt-subsidiaries-win-lng-bunker-barge-training-contract-2383/