Exmar steps up LNG carrier conversion push with Colombia FSU project 

The Belgian shipowner disclosed this week that it has secured an initial seven-year charter for 2006-built, 146,000-m³ Simaisma, which will be converted into a floating transshipment unit (FTU) dedicated to the LNG bunkering market.

Exmar executive director infrastructure Jonathan Raes told Riviera that recently acquired 2005-built, 145,896-m³ Tura, formerly known as Ummera, is also being converted, with the vessel set to operate as a floating storage unit (FSU) for a project in Colombia.

In September 2025, Exmar disclosed that it had signed contracts with Regasificadora Del Pacífico SAS (RDP) for the deployment of an FSU on the west coast of Colombia.

RDP is developing a fast-track LNG import solution in the inner bay of Buenaventura under a term contract signed with Ecopetrol SA to provide regasification and logistics services for a volume of 60 MMCFD of gas.

Exmar will lease and operate the FSU for RDP for an initial five-year period, with additional extension options. The company expects operations to begin in Q3 2026.

Last February, Exmar said it had received confirmation from RDP regarding the successful closing of financing documents for the Buenaventura project.

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.

Both Tura and Simaisma were built by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) for Maria Angelicoussis-led Maran Gas and its joint venture with Nakilat.

Shipbrokers reported earlier this year that both vessels had been sold to Exmar.