Bunker barge United LNG I has been officially christened in the port of Antwerp. It marks an important moment for shipping company Somtrans, main shipbuilding contractor RensenDriessen and outfitting partners TeamCo Shipyard and Gas & Heat. The vessel will enter service in early 2026, reinforcing the growing role of LNG bunkering in the Belgian and Dutch seaports.
The vessel is an estuary-class LNG bunker barge designed for both inland waterways and coastal service up to Zeebrugge. Measuring 135 by 21.46 metres, the barge carries eight cylindrical Type C cargo tanks of 1,000 cubic metres each, engineered to store LNG at –165 degrees Celsius. These cylindrical cryogenic tanks are central to the design and represent a significant technical step.
The hull was built in China and transported to the Netherlands. LNG tanks supplied by Gas & Heat in Italy were then installed in Rotterdam, before the vessel moved to TeamCo Shipyard for final outfitting. Shipbuilder RensenDriessen acted as the main contractor, coordinating every phase from hull construction to delivery, with TeamCo overseeing tank integration, engineering and yard execution.
Embracing new fuels
For Somtrans, the christening reflects the company’s long-standing drive for innovation. CEO Caroline Somers explains: “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.”
Her words echo the evolution of Somtrans: a family company with 39 vessels and a legacy of taking bold steps, from advanced tank technology to low-water concepts. The United LNG I marks the start of a new phase. A second sister vessel will follow soon, expanding Somtrans' LNG bunkering capacity in the region. This comes as LNG bunker demand in Northwest Europe continues to expand, driven by new dual-fuel tonnage in container, tanker, bulk, RoRo and cruise segments. The global fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels continues to grow by double digits each year, driven by owners seeking cleaner operations and reliable access to alternative fuels. By investing early, Somtrans positions itself at the forefront of this shift.
Entering the shortsea shipping arena
Managing Director Wim Driessen of RensenDriessen highlights the ambition and teamwork behind 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. It shows what is possible when a shipowner, contractor and yard work as one team.”
That cooperation between Somtrans and RensenDriessen spans more than 20 years. Together, they have delivered vessels with advanced propulsion, optimised hull forms and pioneering tank solutions. The United LNG I continues that tradition, showing how this model of hull construction in China followed by final outfitting in Western Europe is increasingly being adopted in the shortsea shipping market.
The final phase of the build took place at TeamCo Shipyard, where the vessel was prepared for operation and brought to completion. Managing Director Marcel Zweers reflects: “This was not a standard build. The LNG systems, the tank integration, the bunkering equipment, all demanded precision. It is a project that strengthens our position in LNG and shows what our yard is capable of when it comes to delivering future-proof vessels. We look forward to outfitting the sister vessel United LNG II from March 2026 onward.”
