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Proposed Woodside LNG project focuses on clean energy, safe shipping
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American Maritime Officers supports the proposed OceanWay project to bring liquefied natural gas to California as an investment in clean energy from reliable sources, safe LNG transportation and new jobs for American citizens, both at sea and ashore.
These were among the remarks presented by AMO National Executive Board Member Daniel Shea during a Coast Guard scoping hearing on the Woodside Natural Gas OceanWay Secure Energy Proposal Sept. 26 in Los Angeles, Calif. The proposed Woodside project calls for the establishment of a deepwater port facility 28 miles off the California coast. OceanWay would use a ship-and-buoy system to deliver natural gas to California. Woodside worked with the Maritime Administration on the project and has pledged to use two U.S.-flagged LNG regasification vessels employing American officers and crew. When the project and the commitment to using U.S.-flagged vessels were announced on July 30 of this year, Woodside representatives were joined by Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton and representatives of American maritime labor, including American Maritime Officers. Woodside Natural Gas has not yet determined whether the company will operate the U.S.-flagged LNG newbuilds directly or charter them to an established U.S.-flagged merchant vessel operator. As Shea pointed out during his testimony at the hearing, AMO has "no narrow interest" in the Woodside LNG project and no agreement to represent the officers who would man the LNG carriers. "We support this project as a matter of principle and as a matter of practical necessity," Shea said. "Woodside is on a responsible course, especially with respect to its commitment to U.S.-flagged ships manned by U.S. citizen officers and crews. "U.S. merchant mariners undergo the world's most rigorous and comprehensive training in all seafaring disciplines, training that reflects all current technology, and they must pass U.S. Coast Guard muster to earn their merchant mariner documents, endorsements and licenses," Shea said. "The men and women of the U.S. merchant marine are entrusted with ships, cargoes and lives, and they take these responsibilities seriously." |
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