SEA-LNG, the global industry coalition focused on advancing the use of LNG as a marine fuel, has officially announced its new board of directors for 2025-2026, featuring representatives from key stakeholders across the LNG value chain. The board now includes new leaders from Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), Galveston LNG Bunker Port, MAN Energy Solutions, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Sohar Port and Freezone, and Titan Clean Fuels. This expansion marks a significant step in broadening the coalition’s expertise and further supporting the industry’s transition to cleaner marine fuels.
A Diverse Leadership for a Cleaner Future
The newly elected board represents a broad spectrum of the LNG industry, with members from energy producers, shipping lines, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), classification societies, ports, and LNG supporters. Each sector-specific representative is accountable to their respective member sector, ensuring that all voices in the LNG value chain are heard and effectively represented.
Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, expressed his satisfaction with the updated board, noting, “As we see record ordering of LNG-powered vessels with over 6% of the global fleet expected to utilize LNG, liquefied biomethane, and ultimately liquefied e-methane, I am pleased that we have broadened SEA-LNG’s leadership. By expanding the number of directors and adding two new at-large seats, we’ve brought in leaders from around the world to strengthen our ability to support LNG’s role in decarbonizing the shipping industry.”
The full list of SEA-LNG’s Board of Directors for 2025-2026:
- Peter Keller – Chairman
- Denis Bonhomme (TotalEnergies) & Krishna Achuthanandam (Shell) – Energy Producers
- Claudio Abbate (MSC) – Shipping Lines
- Tom Strang (Carnival) – Cruise Shipping
- Torsten Schramm (DNV) – Marine Classification Societies
- Stefan Eefting (MAN ES) – Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Dimitri van Eekelen (Port of Sohar) – Ports
- Nick Topham (BSM) – LNG Supporters
- David Colson (GTT), Frank Harteveld (Wärtsilä), Jacob Granqvist (Gasum), Jonathan Cook (Galveston LNG Bunkering Port), and Michael Schaap (Titan Clean Fuels) – At-Large Seats
Broadening Impact Across LNG Sectors
The election of new board members represents a concerted effort to ensure that SEA-LNG’s strategy is aligned with the rapidly evolving landscape of LNG adoption in the maritime industry. SEA-LNG is poised to continue its role as a key thought leader and advocate for LNG as a marine fuel, offering practical, credible research to inform the decision-making of shipping companies, regulators, and investors.
In addition to overseeing the coalition’s strategic direction, the SEA-LNG Board will also be responsible for guiding various working groups focused on investment, regulation, stakeholder engagement, and emissions. These groups will ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard, enabling SEA-LNG to continue producing research that is not only credible but also immediately applicable to real-world challenges faced by shipping industry decision-makers.
Preparing for Critical Decisions in 2025
The timing of the board’s reorganization is particularly crucial, as 2025 is expected to be a pivotal year for the shipping industry’s decarbonization efforts. With critical decisions on the horizon at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), SEA-LNG is positioning itself to further cement LNG as a critical component in reducing shipping’s environmental footprint.
Peter Keller highlighted the importance of SEA-LNG’s work moving forward: “As we approach 2025, with crucial decisions ahead on decarbonization at the IMO, SEA-LNG’s efforts to advance LNG as a sustainable alternative for shipping are more vital than ever. The expertise of our expanded board will help ensure we continue to provide pragmatic, realistic pathways to decarbonize the sector and address harmful local emissions.”
Continued Collaboration and Expertise
As part of the transition, SEA-LNG has also invited Panos Mitrou of Lloyd’s Register to remain as a Board Observer/Advisor due to his vital role as Chair of the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII). His ongoing involvement will ensure that SEA-LNG’s efforts align with emerging methane abatement technologies, further reinforcing its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of shipping.
About SEA-LNG
Founded in 2016, SEA-LNG is a multi-sector industry coalition with a diverse membership that includes shipping companies, ports, LNG suppliers, bunkering companies, infrastructure providers, OEMs, classification societies, banks, and brokers. SEA-LNG works to demonstrate the benefits of LNG as a marine fuel throughout the entire value chain, commissioning and communicating independent research on critical topics such as emissions, investment, and infrastructure for LNG adoption.
As the global shipping industry faces increasing pressure to meet environmental regulations and reduce emissions, SEA-LNG plays a critical role in driving the adoption of LNG as a viable alternative fuel. By continuing to engage with stakeholders from all sectors, SEA-LNG remains at the forefront of the industry’s shift toward more sustainable operations.
Source: SEA-LNG