DLA Energy's SEA Card® Program marks two decades of streamlining global vessel fueling

The Ships' Bunkers Easy Acquisition (SEA) Card® program, a Defense Logistics Agency Energy program that revolutionized how military and federal vessels acquire fuel worldwide marked its 20th anniversary. Launched in October 2005, the initiative replaced a cumbersome, paper-based system with a secure, internet-based platform for ordering, receiving, and invoicing fuel.

The SEA Card® program, which began as a pilot with just 13 vessels and 20-30 merchants, aimed at making commercial fuel procurement more efficient for customers and merchants, has reduced manpower hours and time while mitigating fraud, waste, and abuse. Four of the original launch employees are still working the Program - there's a lot of history here, according to Stephanie Lewis-Vance, Program Manager, AIR and SEA Card® Programs at the DLA Energy headquarters at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

Administered by the DLA Energy Government Fuel Card Program Management Office, the SEA Card® program provides round-the-clock support and allows customers to pay standard pricing instead of potentially higher market rates for bunker fuel.

In fiscal year 2024, the SEA Card® program facilitated more than 1,500 transactions involving roughly 101.8 million gallons of fuel, valued at approximately $380.5 million. More than 140 vessels across ten branches of service, including federal partners such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, utilized the program.

The program's reach has expanded significantly since its beginning two decades ago. The military services and federal civilian agency vessels now purchase fuel from more than 180 unique commercial ship refueling merchants at nearly 3,000 seaports worldwide.

"The enduring success of the SEA Card® program highlights DLA Energy's commitment to providing innovative and effective solutions for supporting global naval operations and the broader needs of the Department of War and its federal partners," said Michael J. Park, Chief, of DLA Energy's Fuel Cards Program Office.

The SEA Card® Program received its registered trademark stamp in 2008 and the Fuel Card Management Team earned the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award in 2007.

For more information on the SEA Card® program, visit: https://www.dla.mil/Energy/Products/Government-Fuel/SEA-Card/.