Jonathan Cook named new Flex LNG head

Flex LNG, the company controlled by billionaire John Fredriksen, has appointed Jonathan Cook as chief executive officer.

Cook is currently chief marketing officer for Cardiff LNG (UK) Ltd and will commence his new duties during the fourth quarter of this year.

According to Flex LNG, Cook’s career spans more than 30 years in the maritime and energy sectors with the last 16 years in the LNG sector.

After graduating from Texas A&M University at Galveston, where he later served on the Board of Visitors, he held key positions with Coastal, El Paso, and Excelerate Energy, in addition to his 11-years career at sea as a licensed deck officer where he achieved the rank of Master Mariner.

In his new role, Cook will lead the corporate and business development activities of Flex LNG. This includes bringing the company and its newbuildings under construction into full operations, as well as actively pursuing growth opportunities throughout the LNG value chain, Flex LNG said.

Flex LNG has ordered two Panamax LNG carriers with a capacity of 174,000 cbm at South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2018.

“Flex LNG has a history of innovation and is extremely well positioned with its MEGI LNG carriers set for delivery in 2018. The delivery of these vessels coincides with new LNG production coming to the market and increasing the demand for state of the art fuel efficient vessels. I look forward to working with the management team and shareholders of Flex LNG to leverage its market position and develop the company’s full potential in the rapidly evolving LNG industry,” said Cook.