Belgian shipping company Exmar has announced plans to convert a two-decade-old LNG carrier into a floating transshipment unit (FTU) designed to support the LNG bunkering market, according to Ship & Bunker.
The company has taken delivery of the vessel, named Simaisa, a 146,000 m3 LNG carrier built in 2006. As reported by Ship & Bunker, the unit has been secured under an initial seven-year charter contract with an undisclosed party.
Conversion and Function
Simaisa will head to dry dock for modifications that will prepare it for its new role as an FTU, Ship & Bunker reports. Once converted, the unit will receive large LNG cargoes directly from LNG carriers. LNG bunker vessels will then load fuel from the FTU before delivering it to LNG-fuelled ships.
According to Exmar, this setup is intended to help lower the logistics costs typically associated with LNG bunkering operations.
Company Statement
Carl-Antoine Saverys, CEO of Exmar, commented on the project, saying the company was “gladly assisting its client in further paving the way to unlock LNG as a fuel for the shipping industry,” as quoted by Ship & Bunker. He added that the FTU represents “a smart solution with which our client bring down the costs of the logistics relating to the LNG bunkering.”
Saverys also noted that the project builds on Exmar’s decades of experience in the LNG sector, stating the company looks forward to “deploying more of these assets to unlock the full potential of LNG as a fuel for the maritime industry,” according to the report.
Does This Matter to You?
This development is relevant to those involved in LNG bunkering logistics, including LNG bunker vessel operators and ports supporting LNG-fuelled shipping. A dedicated floating transshipment unit could influence how LNG cargoes are distributed to bunker vessels, potentially affecting supply chain efficiency in regions where such infrastructure is deployed.
According to the source material, the specific location of the FTU’s operations and the identity of the chartering party were not disclosed, so the direct operational impact on particular trade routes or ports is not yet clear.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
