EXMAR Deploys Floating Transshipment Unit for Cleaner Maritime Fuel Adoption

EXMAR has taken delivery of the LNG carrier SIMAISMA under an initial seven-year charter agreement, marking its commitment to supporting the maritime industry's transition toward cleaner fuels. The vessel will soon undergo a dry-docking process and be modified to operate as a Floating Transshipment Unit (FTU), designed to serve the growing LNG bunkering market.

The FTU will act as an offshore LNG storage and transfer facility, receiving large cargoes of liquefied natural gas from conventional LNG carriers and transferring smaller quantities to specialized LNG bunkering vessels that supply ships powered by LNG. This logistics model is expected to improve efficiency and lower operational costs associated with marine fuel supply.

EXMAR Chief Executive Officer Carl-Antoine Saverys emphasized the project's significance, stating that it represents another milestone in the company's long-standing involvement in the LNG sector. He noted that the FTU concept significantly reduces complexity and expense while leveraging EXMAR's nearly five decades of expertise in LNG transportation and infrastructure.

EXMAR expects to deploy additional FTUs in the future as demand for LNG-powered vessels continues to grow, strengthening LNG bunkering networks and enhancing fuel accessibility at major shipping routes and ports. As global shipping regulations focus on lowering greenhouse gas emissions, LNG has emerged as an important transitional fuel due to its lower emissions profile compared with conventional marine fuels.