LNG

Belgian shipping company Exmar, owner of the “Tango FLNG” vessel last deployed in Argentina, has returned steady first-half results and said it was still pursuing opportunities for the LNG production barge as well as for a floating storage and regasification unit.

Exmar gave details of the LNG developments as it posted a 23 percent increase in third-quarter gross earnings for the shipping division of $4.4 million compared to $3.6 million in the same three months of 2020.

The earnings for the infrastructure division, comprising the two floating LNG vessels, was negatively affected by the current unemployment of the regasification vessel, known as “FSRU S188”.

This is because the same period of 2020 was boosted by the recognition of a provision of $16.4M on uncollected revenues from Argentine energy company YPF on the “Tango FLNG” charter cancellation.

The earnings, however, did includes an early termination fee of $56.8M for the “FSRU S188” charter agreement by global commodities company Gunvor.

“Exmar’s marketing efforts for employment of ‘Tango FLNG’ confirm strong market interest in our liquefaction barge,” stated the Antwerp-based company.

“Current high oil and gas prices further increase the interest in ‘Tango FLNG’. Term sheet discussions are ongoing with various parties. The monthly settlement payments from YPF are diligently being honoured,” added Exmar in reference to the settlement accord with YPF.

“Following the termination of the charter party with Gunvor earlier this year, the search for employment for the ‘FSRU S188’ is ongoing,” stated Exmar.

“Technical and commercial discussions for several opportunities are ongoing,” it added.

Additionally, Exmar noted that the company’s only conventional LNG carrier, the “Excalibur”, remains under time charter to US company Excelerate Energy and is expected to be redelivered at the beginning of 2022.

“The current strong LNG product market and LNG freight rates give us confidence we will be able to secure further employment either trading or as a conversion candidate,” said the company.

Exmar has slowly withdrawn from the LNG market but its gas fleet still numbers 40 vessels, about half comprising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers, as well 10 pressurized tankers and as some eight other ships, including very large gas carriers.

The company said it expected a further strengthening of its liquidity position in the next few months.

One of its two new VLGCs, the “Flanders Innovation”, was put into operation and the “Flanders Pioneer” is expected to be delivered at the end of the third quarter of 2021.

“The lease financing for both vessels has been arranged and for both a minimum five-year charter with Equinor ASA (Norway) has been signed,” added Exmar. 

Excelerate Energy, the US company that led the global development of floating LNG import terminals, has completed the successful transition of its entire fleet of floating storage and regasification units to Excelerate Technical Management.

“Congratulations to our ship management team overseeing this effort and the 600 plus seafarers that supported,” said Steven Kobos, President and Chief Executive of Excelerate Energy.

“Transitioning 10 ships in 10 months is a tremendous accomplishment in any year, but especially in 2020,” added Kobos.

“Through ETM, we look forward to continuing to provide the seamless service our customers have come to know and expect,” he stated.

Excelerate began transitioning its fleet in February 2020 with the FSRU “Experience” after the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Government of Belgium awarded Interim Documents of Compliance (DoC) under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code to ETM.

Excelerate completed the transition of the 10th and final FSRU “Excellence” on October 28.
As each FSRU undergoes scheduled maintenance and upgrades, Excelerate plans to repaint its vessels in the corporate brand colors and design.

“At Excelerate, we hold ourselves to the highest standards, and this transition gives us an opportunity to enhance our already rigorous safety management programs,” said Cal Bancroft, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Excelerate.

“It also demonstrates our commitment to stewardship, accountability, improvement, and leadership and providing more flexible and seamless services to clients,” added Bancroft.

Excelerate explained that with the transition to the new ship management subsidiary, customers can continue to expect
consistency of operations and high performance of personnel development, both seagoing and shore-based.

Houston-based Excelerate began developing its ETM ship management services in February 2020.

In early June 2020, it named Bancroft as the COO to help oversee the unit.

He holds a B.S. in Nautical Science from Maine Maritime Academy and an M.B.A. in International Business and Marketing Management from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He also served in the US Naval Reserve. 

Exmar, the Belgian shipping company with more than 40 vessels in its fleet now mostly focused mainly on the liquefied petroleum gas business, said the its “Tango FLNG” vessel chartered to Argentina was set to export its third cargo as the company’s finances also improved.

Exmar, the Belgian shipping company with more than 40 vessels in its fleet now mostly focused on the liquefied petroleum gas business, has made executive changes as it tries to improve finances amid the success of the floating LNG production vessel, “Tango FLNG”.