Antwerp, Belgium | December 15, 2025 – Somtrans, has added a new LNG bunker barge to meet growing demand for alternative marine fuels in Belgian and Dutch ports, strengthening regional LNG bunkering capacity as more dual-fuel vessels enter service. The newly christened United LNG I is scheduled to begin operations in early 2026, supporting shipowners across inland and shortsea trades as LNG continues to gain traction in Northwest Europe’s maritime fuel mix.
The project brings together Somtrans, main shipbuilding contractor RensenDriessen, outfitting yard TeamCo Shipyard, and cryogenic tank specialist Gas & Heat. Following the christening ceremony, United LNG I is scheduled to enter commercial service in early 2026, providing LNG bunkering services across Belgian and Dutch seaports.
Purpose-built estuary-class LNG bunker barge
United LNG I is an estuary-class LNG bunker barge, designed for operation on inland waterways as well as coastal routes up to Zeebrugge. With an overall length of 135 metres and a beam of 21.46 metres, the vessel has been engineered to combine large cargo capacity with the flexibility required for shortsea and river operations.
The barge is equipped with eight cylindrical Type C cryogenic cargo tanks, each with a capacity of 1,000 cubic metres, giving a total LNG capacity of 8,000 cubic metres. The tanks are designed to store LNG at –165°C, ensuring safe and efficient handling of cryogenic cargo. The use of large-scale cylindrical Type C tanks represents a key technical feature of the vessel and a notable step forward in LNG bunker barge design.
International build, European outfitting
Construction of United LNG I followed an internationally coordinated build strategy. The hull was constructed in China and subsequently transported to the Netherlands. The LNG tanks, supplied by Italy-based Gas & Heat, were installed in Rotterdam, after which the vessel moved to TeamCo Shipyard for final outfitting, system integration and commissioning.
RensenDriessen acted as main contractor, coordinating the entire project from hull construction through to delivery. TeamCo Shipyard was responsible for tank integration, detailed engineering and yard execution during the final build phase.
Somtrans: investing early in LNG bunkering
For Somtrans, the christening of United LNG I represents a strategic investment aligned with long-term sustainability goals. CEO Caroline Somers emphasised the company’s philosophy of targeted innovation:
“We aim for depth – for vessels and technologies that anticipate the next chapter of sustainable shipping. LNG bunkering is a deliberate step in that direction. We choose solutions that matter over the long term, focusing on cleaner fuels and the vessels that support them. This project strengthens our role in the maritime energy transition.”
Somtrans operates a fleet of 39 vessels and has built a reputation for adopting advanced technologies, including innovative tank designs and low-water concepts. United LNG I marks the beginning of a new chapter for the company, with a second sister vessel, United LNG II, already planned to further expand LNG bunkering capacity in the region.
Rising LNG bunker demand in Northwest Europe
The investment comes at a time when LNG bunker demand in Northwest Europe is growing steadily, driven by the rapid increase in dual-fuel newbuildings across container, tanker, bulk, RoRo and cruise segments. Globally, the fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels continues to grow at double-digit annual rates, as shipowners seek to reduce emissions while maintaining operational flexibility.
By investing early in dedicated LNG bunkering tonnage, Somtrans positions itself to support this expanding market and provide reliable LNG supply infrastructure in key ports.
RensenDriessen expands into shortsea LNG projects
Managing Director Wim Driessen of RensenDriessen highlighted both the technical ambition and the collaborative nature of the project:
“By combining efficient hull construction in China with local outfitting in Western Europe, we are now offering our hull-building expertise more widely to the shortsea shipping segment. These cylindrical LNG tanks take this project into new territory. Integrating them at this scale is unique and shows what is possible when a shipowner, contractor and yard work as one team.”
Somtrans and RensenDriessen have worked together for more than 20 years, delivering vessels featuring advanced propulsion systems, optimised hull designs and innovative tank solutions. United LNG I continues this partnership and demonstrates how the China-built hull and European outfitting model is increasingly being adopted in the shortsea and specialised vessel market.
Final outfitting at TeamCo Shipyard
The final construction phase took place at TeamCo Shipyard, where the vessel was completed and prepared for operational service. Managing Director Marcel Zweers described the complexity of the project:
“This was not a standard build. The LNG systems, tank integration and bunkering equipment demanded a very high level of precision. It is a project that strengthens our position in LNG and demonstrates what our yard is capable of when delivering future-proof vessels.”
TeamCo Shipyard is already preparing for the next phase of the programme, with outfitting of United LNG II scheduled to begin in March 2026.
Supporting the maritime energy transition
With United LNG I, Somtrans, RensenDriessen, TeamCo Shipyard and Gas & Heat have delivered a vessel that directly supports the growing LNG bunkering infrastructure required by today’s alternative-fuel fleet. As LNG continues to play a key role in the transition toward lower-emission shipping, dedicated bunker barges such as United LNG I are expected to become an increasingly familiar sight in Europe’s major ports.
Source: Somtrans | TeamCo | RensenDriessen