According to Splash247, US-listed Excelerate Energy has acquired the 2010-built LNG carrier Methane Patricia Camila, earmarking the vessel for the company's first conversion into a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).
Excelerate disclosed the purchase in its second-quarter update without naming the seller or price, Splash247 reported. A Tokyo Stock Exchange filing from Japan's Meiji Shipping Group shows the ship changing hands for $79m, with delivery scheduled between January and April 2027. The 170,000 cu m vessel was built by Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea. Excelerate expects the converted unit to become available for commercial deployment in early 2028, but has not disclosed the conversion yard or intended project.
Deal details
The acquisition comes as Excelerate locks in fresh work for its existing fleet. The company has fixed the 2009-built FSRU Express to Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía on a seven-year charter for a new LNG import terminal in Colombia, with several extension options, Splash247 reported. The 150,900 cu m unit is expected to begin operations during the first quarter of 2027 after completing its current charter and a planned drydock later this year. Excelerate said the Colombian contract carries better economic terms than the vessel's present employment.
Meanwhile, the newly delivered Excelerate Acadia started a nine-month charter at Jordan's Aqaba LNG terminal in early July, according to Splash247. The interim fixture provides employment while the company works towards the start-up of Iraq's first LNG import terminal. The Iraqi project covers LNG supply and regasification under a five-year agreement with a minimum contracted offtake of 250m standard cubic feet per day. Engineering and procurement are nearing completion, with operations now targeted for early in the second quarter of 2027.
| Vessel | Year built | Capacity | Deployment | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methane Patricia Camila | 2010 | 170,000 cu m | Under conversion to FSRU | Delivery Jan–Apr 2027; commercial deployment early 2028 |
| FSRU Express | 2009 | 150,900 cu m | Seven-year charter to Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía, Colombia | Operations expected Q1 2027 |
| Excelerate Acadia | Newly delivered | Not stated | Nine-month charter at Aqaba LNG terminal, Jordan | Started early July |
What this means for LNG shippers and terminal operators
Excelerate's fleet comprises 10 established FSRUs with storage capacities ranging from 138,000 cu m to 173,400 cu m, alongside the recently delivered Excelerate Acadia, according to Splash247. The Methane Patricia Camila conversion will add another vessel to that pool once deployed in early 2028. For shippers and terminal operators, the Colombian, Jordanian and Iraqi projects represent new regasification capacity in development across three regions, with Puerto Bahía in Colombia, Aqaba in Jordan, and Iraq's first LNG import terminal as the named sites.
Excelerate said the Colombian contract carries better economic terms than the vessel's present employment.
Watch list
- Conversion yard and intended project for Methane Patricia Camila — not disclosed by Excelerate.
- Delivery of the vessel between January and April 2027, per Meiji Shipping Group's Tokyo Stock Exchange filing.
- Start-up of the FSRU Express at the Colombian terminal, expected Q1 2027, subject to completion of its current charter and drydock.
- Iraq's first LNG import terminal, with operations targeted for early Q2 2027.
- The nine-month Aqaba charter for Excelerate Acadia, which provides interim employment while the Iraq project advances.
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