Rene Boudet began his career in the navy before joining the family firm.



In 1956 he made his move into shipping, forming Gazocean with one small butane carrier. The vessel would come into small ports in the Mediterranean and take days to discharge as locals brought down gas cylinders to be filled. He went on to forge strong alliances with gas suppliers in the Middle East and concentrated on upping volumes.



A firm believer in innovation, he formed a technical department and went on to investigate how the transport of liquefied gases could be improved by forming close relationships with engineers and other specialists.



In 1963 this led to the formation of Technigaz, which eventually went on to develop the membrane-containment system for LNG carriers.



Boudet also understood that some trades could not be developed without terminal capacity and in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he eagerly plunged into terminal-development projects in France, Spain and the US, tying in the final part of the gas-shipping chain.



At the same time he began to flirt more closely and somewhat riskily with the LNG sector, acquiring the rights to a 610-cbm, membrane-type cargoship, the Pythagore, in 1964. He installed the Technigaz system on board.



A pioneer in all respects he opted to build LNG carriers on speculation. In 1969 he teamed up with US gas buyers Cabot LNG to form Distrigas and with Algerian gas producers Sonatrach to form Alocean. Cargo contracts were then drawn up.



One Distrigas ship, the 50,000-cbm Decartes (built 1971), is still trading today. But the timing was not right and Distrigas was forced to file for bankruptcy. Today´s speculative LNG players beware - one of Gazocean´s LNG newbuildings, the 120,000-cbm Ben Franklin (built 1975) was sent for demolition without ever lifting a cargo.



Boudet resigned from Gazocean in 1978. The company´s fleet eventually peaked at around 54 gas and chemical carriers in the 1980s but by then the financial woes of the LNG and other ventures had hit the company hard.



Drawing on his experience from all these enterprises, Boudet formed gas shipping company Geogas in 1979. The company is now run by his son Jacques. Gas-market players today say Geogas has been diligent in building up strong relationships with its customers. It places a big emphasis on service, which has helped it be successful in the current market.



In theory Boudet, described by one specialist as "the godfather of the gas-shipping industry", officially retired nearly 20 years ago but he still takes an active involvement in the business. At almost 89 he is still imposingly tall with a firm handshake.



Poten boss and long-term Boudet fan Mike Tusiani credits the gas legend with infinite charm, a great sense of humour, positive outlook on life and legendary generosity - both in his hospitality and his willingness to share his knowledge with others.



In the late 1990s Boudet found time to write a book about his life. Entitled "The Joy of Being an Entrepreneur", it reflects his philosophy about what a great buzz you can get out of business.