Exmar adds former Maran Gas LNG carrier for FTU conversion

The Belgian shipping company announced on 6 August that it had taken delivery of 2006-built, 146,000-m³ Simaisma, which has been secured on an initial seven-year charter with what the company described as "a first-class counterpart."

The vessel was built by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) for Maria Angelicoussis-led Maran Gas and its joint venture with Nakilat. According to Clarksons, the vessel was sold to clients of Exmar in May.

Exmar said the vessel will soon enter dry dock for modifications to enable it to operate as an FTU serving the LNG bunkering market.

The FTU will receive large LNG parcels from trading LNG carriers, while specialised LNG bunkering vessels will load cargoes from the FTU before delivering the fuel to LNG-powered ships.

"Exmar is gladly assisting its client in further paving the way to unlock LNG as a fuel for the shipping industry," chief executive Carl-Antoine Saverys said.

"The FTU is a smart solution that enables our client to reduce the logistics costs associated with LNG bunkering. With this solution, we are building on Exmar’s nearly 50 years of LNG experience," he added.

"We look forward to deploying more of these assets to unlock the full potential of LNG as a fuel for the maritime industry."

Notably, Exmar also lists another former Maran Gas vessel on its fleet roster: 2005-built, 145,896-m³ Ummera, which is described on the company’s website as being "under construction", a status that may indicate another conversion project.

Shipping data platforms show that the vessel has recently been renamed Tura.

According to information published on its website, Exmar’s fleet comprises 39 LPG/ammonia carriers, two LNG carriers, two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), one offshore vessel and four tankers.