---

SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, today announced that it has welcomed Japan's Marubeni Corporation to its expanding membership.

Since its launch in July 2016, SEA\LNG's membership has grown from 13 to 25 members. Recent additions in 2017 include Bureau Veritas, Clean Marine Energy, Gas Natural Fenosa, JAX LNG, Petronet LNG and Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

Commenting on Marubeni's membership, SEA\LNG chairman and executive vice president of TOTE Inc, Peter Keller, said: "Marubeni has a great wealth and breadth of expertise in relation to LNG and we welcome their knowledge as we continue to support the energy transition in shipping. SEA\LNG will continue to unite organisations that work together to address market barriers to LNG uptake, and to help transform the use of LNG as a marine fuel into a global reality."

Founded over 150 years ago, Marubeni has decades of experience in importing and exporting products, providing services and business investments for a broad range of sectors including energy, chemicals, as well as power, logistics, and infrastructure projects. The company has been involved in LNG industries by equity participation in liquefaction projects, trading, gas-fired power projects, and owning LNG carriers. The company also has a history of bunker fuel trading for more than 40 years.

Akihiko Sagara, Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Energy Division, Marubeni Corporation, said: "Although our company has expertise in multiple sectors, we view LNG as a core business field within our multifaceted service offering. By embracing collaboration with stakeholders in related industries, we remain committed to safeguarding the global environment in which we operate, and are privileged to be partnering with a like-minded organisation. Together with our partners, we look forward to collaboratively working towards a cleaner, more efficient shipping environment."

In March, Bunker Index reported that SEA\LNG had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) to create a framework for how the two organisations will work together to achieve their common goal of making LNG the fuel of choice for the shipping industry.

Earlier this year, in January, SEA\LNG stressed that a collaborative approach to understanding the opportunities and then tackling the associated commercial barriers to LNG was "crucial" to encourage its use as an alternative to traditional bunker fuels.

"We all need to do more to help break down the commercial barriers to LNG, particularly in the deep-sea shipping segment. From LNG suppliers, bunkering companies, shipping lines, and shipyards, to OEMs, classification societies, and port authorities, organisations from across the marine value chain must work together to collectively drive the change needed for the industry to meet the environmental thresholds," Peter Keller said in January.