Exmar takes delivery of 146,000 cbm LNG carrier SIMAISMA
Belgian gas carrier owner Exmar has recently announced the delivery of the 146,000 m³ LNG carrier SIMAISMA. The vessel, fixed on a seven-year charter, is set to be converted into a floating transfer unit (FTU) to serve the LNG bunkering market.
Conversion into FTU for LNG Bunkering Market
Following the delivery, the SIMAISMA will undergo a dry-dock where modifications will be made to transform the vessel into a floating transshipment unit (FTU) specifically designed for the LNG bunkering market. The FTU will play a crucial role in receiving large parcels of LNG from trading LNG carriers, allowing specialized LNG bunkering vessels to load at the FTU before supplying it as fuel to vessels utilizing clean LNG.
Exmar’s Commitment to LNG as a Fuel
Carl-Antoine Saverys, CEO of EXMAR, expressed the company’s enthusiasm in supporting their client to promote LNG as a fuel for the shipping industry. The FTU is seen as a cost-effective solution to streamline the logistics involved in LNG bunkering. Saverys highlighted EXMAR’s extensive experience in LNG, spanning nearly 50 years, and emphasized the company’s dedication to unleashing the full potential of LNG as a fuel within the maritime sector.
Public records reveal that the SIMAISMA, originally known as the Simaisa, was constructed and delivered by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) in 2006. Initially part of a joint fleet operated by Maran Gas (a division of the Greek Maran Group) and Nakilat, the vessel measures 285 meters in length and 43 meters in breadth.
Exmar is actively exploring various decarbonization pathways for the shipping industry. The recent delivery of the first of four dual-fuel, ammonia-capable mid-sized gas carriers underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovation in the maritime sector.
By repurposing the SIMAISMA into an FTU for the LNG bunkering market, Exmar continues to demonstrate its leadership in driving advancements in clean fuel technologies within the shipping industry.
