Titan Clean Fuels has chartered the new 8,000 CBM bunker vessel UNITED LNG I to expand its LNG and LBM delivery capabilities across the ZARA region. The high-spec vessel enhances operational flexibility for large tankers and PCTCs while supporting the industry’s transition toward carbon-neutral methane fuels.
Rotterdam | May 13, 2026 – Titan Clean Fuels (Titan), a subsidiary of the Molgas Energy Group, has significantly strengthened its operational footprint in the Zeebrugge-Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ZARA) region by announcing the long-term charter of bunker vessel UNITED LNG I.
The 135-meter-long inland waterway bunker vessel, owned by Somtralux and operated by United Bunkers, represents a strategic leap in capacity for Titan. With an 8,000 CBM cargo capacity, the vessel is designed to meet the surging demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied biomethane (LBM / Bio-LNG), providing a scalable pathway toward future e-methane (e-LNG) deliveries.
Technical Superiority: High-Flow and Spacer-Free Operations
The UNITED LNG I is not a standard bunker barge; it is a high-spec technical asset designed for the complexities of modern “green” shipping. Key features include:
- Massive Pump Capacity: Equipped with eight deep-well main cargo pumps, each delivering 165 m³/hr, the vessel can rapidly fuel large containerships, tankers, and PCTCs during tight port windows.
- Simplified Cruise Bunkering: Its unique design eliminates the need for a spacer vessel when delivering to cruise ships, significantly reducing costs and operational complexity.
- Specialist Gas Services: Built-in subcoolers and a gas combustion unit make it an ideal asset for gas-up and cooldown operations, essential for tank commissioning.
- Universal Compatibility: The vessel is compatible with all major LNG tank types, including membrane, Moss, and Type C, ensuring it can service any ship in the global fleet.
Strategic Alignment with FuelEU Maritime
The charter comes at a pivotal moment as the FuelEU Maritime regulations drive shipowners toward lower-carbon marine fuels. By adding this vessel to its fleet, Titan improves its ability to move fuels cost-efficiently between ARA and Zeebrugge ports.
“As demand for LNG and LBM increases, access to high-quality bunker vessels is vital,” said Niels Den Nijs, Director of Titan Clean Fuels Marine. “The skillset needed for gaseous fuel bunkering is largely similar. We currently see clear advantages in the methane pathway, LNG reduces emissions over fuel oil, and then LBM and e-methane can be dropped into established infrastructure with zero modification.”
PCTC Focus and SIMOPS Capability
The UNITED LNG I is already operational and has successfully integrated into Titan’s onboarding program. Since obtaining its license, it has focused heavily on Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) calling at ZARA ports. The vessel is also fully equipped for simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), allowing it to bunker vessels while cargo is being loaded or discharged.
Mr. Somers, CEO of Somtralux, commented on the partnership “The vessel is versatile and capable of complex operations, so it fits perfectly with Titan’s operations. We are delighted to charter this state-of-the-art vessel to Titan, knowing it is delivering LNG and bio-LNG to help decarbonize the shipping industry today.”
A Well-Funded Future
This expansion follows the October 2025 acquisition of Titan by Molgas Energy Group, backed by the infrastructure investor InfraVia. The move cements Titan’s position as a well-capitalized, long-term player in the cleaner fuel bunker market, now operating a fleet of seven bunker vessels globally.
About Titan Clean Fuels
A part of the Molgas Energy Group, Titan Clean Fuels is a leading physical supplier of low-emission fuels to the marine sector. Operating in approximately 52 ports globally, the company focuses on the “methane pathway,” providing LNG, Bio-LNG, and e-Methane to help the maritime industry achieve its environmental targets.
Source: Titan Clean Fuels