Belgian shipowner Exmar has appointed Carl-Antoine Saverys as its new chief executive officer.
Carl-Antoine Saverys will take over formally as CEO from January 1, 2024.
He is taking over from Francis Mottrie who will assume a supporting role as COO from January 1, alongside Jens Ismar, executive director shipping, according to a statement by Exmar.
Both remain on board of Exmar’s executive committee to support the transition.
Carl-Antoine Saverys (born in November 1989) is the son of Nicolas Saverys.
Exmar’s executive chairman Nicolas Saverys tried to take Exmar private this year and his holding company Saverex currently has 81.18 percent of the outstanding shares in the shipping firm.
“Energetic” executive team
Carl-Antoine Saverys has made an “invaluable contribution” to the company over the past six years in his deputy roles at Exmar’s infrastructure department and thereafter at the shipping department, Exmar said.
Joining him at the executive top level are newly appointed CFO, Hadrien Bown, and executive director infrastructure, Jonathan Raes, member of the executive committee since 2018.
Nicolas Saverys said, “Francis led a full transition of the company since 2020 and managed Exmar towards great achievements, putting the company in an excellent position to tackle future opportunities with a strong balance sheet.”
“As executive chairman I give my full support to my son Carl-Antoine and the team (Francis, Jens, Jonathan, and Hadrien). Together they make an energetic executive team and we have full confidence in their ability to build and grow the company further. It’s an exciting time for Exmar,” he said.
Exmar operates a fleet of more than 40 gas carriers and owns the 26,000-cbm barge-based FSRU Eemshaven LNG, which serves the LNG hub in Eemshaven.
The firm is also helping Italy’s Eni to launch the first FLNG project in the Republic of Congo and also charters the FSU for the project.