Shipowner Nicolas Saverys believes his company Exmar and its staff are beginning 2020 with “great enthusiasm", after what is described as a long-planned reorganisation that was unveiled last week.

Group chief executive Saverys told TradeWinds the moves are part of a “re-dynamising” of Exmar, which has experienced five to six “extremely challenging” years while trying to fix its liquefaction and regasification barges.

The shake-up includes the creation of a new deputy chief executive position and splitting the business into three units, which include Exmar Shipping and Exmar Infrastructure.

Saverys said: “I had all of this in mind four years ago, but it was not the time to put additional worry beads in the head of people when we had uncertainties around our two barges.”

“I put all of this in gear in summer 2018 and pressed the button only on 22 November when we signed with YPF,” he said, referring to the charter contract Exmar inked with the Argentinian company on its Tango FLNG barge.

Saverys admitted the moves have taken some time to implement.

Long-term head of shipping Pierre Dincq left Exmar last year and group chief financial officer Miguel de Potter will depart this quarter.

But Saverys insisted relations between all remain good.

Arbitration

The company is also still locked in arbitration with Gunvor over the charter contract on a regasification barge. While declining to comment on the dispute, Saverys appeared untroubled.

“Today, are there many companies in maritime where everything is employed and everything is financed?” he asked. “You could even say it is starting to become boring business, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure that it will not be boring here at Exmar. It will be exciting again.”

Saverys, who turns 62 this month, said he remains “very much” at the helm of Exmar.

Today we are just out of a crisis. Exmar needs to revamp, reboost

Nicolas Saverys

Francis Mottrie, chief executive of Exmar rope-making subsidiary Bexco, joins as its new deputy chief executive.

On the creation of the position, Saverys said: “It is me preparing myself for one day becoming chairman and not being the first man in line. But that is the future, it is not for tomorrow.

“Today, we are just out of a crisis. Exmar needs to revamp, reboost,” he said, adding that the company now has the team in place to do so.

“I see a company which is starting 2020 with great enthusiasm,” he said.

Under the Antwerp-based owner’s new structure, Exmar Shipping will be led by Jens Ismar, who joined the company last year.

Exmar Infrastructure will fall under the leadership of Jonathan Raes who was instrumental in putting the Tango FLNG unit into operation.

Saverys said Exmar has “plenty of ideas” on new innovative ships, but on infrastructure will only move on units if it has a firm contract.

The company said the LPG shipping markets remain strong and Tango FLNG is producing above expectations.

Long-term head of shipping Pierre Dincq exited Exmar last year Photo: Lucy Hine