A former US Coast Guard gas shipping official is joining the Liberian Registry as moves to grow its gas and offshore business.
Dallas Smith is joining the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry’s (LISCR) as general manager of its new Houston office and director of LNG and offshore.
He comes onboard with LISCR after retiring last month from his position as head of the USCG Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise, where he was responsible for safety, security, and environmental compliance for LNG and LPG shipping.
Smith has spent 20 years in the USCG, during which time he undertook industry secondments as LNG marine advisor to Cheniere Energy and Excelerate Energy.
He has also worked as a flag and port state inspector and has experience in the offshore sector on mobile offshore drilling unit construction, inspection and auditing.
LISCR’s chief operations officer, Alfonso Castillero, praised Smith’s “unique industry experience in LNG” and said he is a great addition to the team.
“I am excited to have such a professional, and well-regarded expert join our dynamic global team,” he added.
LISCR has around 5m gt of LNG and LPG carriers on its books, equating to an 8% market and putting it in fourth place for gas carrying vessels.
But the registry is eyeing the top spot. LISCR says it is seeing a “significant uptick” in enquiries and requests for proposals for LNG carriers, along with demand for LNG-fuelled newbuildings.
With Smith’s appointment it is aiming not only to continue its growth in gas carriers, but also to provide a service to existing clients who will be moving to use LNG as fuel.
