Somtrans christens LNG bunker barge “United LNG I” in Antwerp

Shipping company Somtrans on Monday (15 December) said bunker barge United LNG I has been christened in a ceremony at the port of Antwerp. 

The main shipbuilding contractor is RensenDriessen while outfitting partners are 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.

Somtrans CEO Caroline Somers, said: “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.”

A second sister vessel will follow soon with outfitting beginning from March 2026, 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. 

Managing Director Wim Driessen of RensenDriessen, said: “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.”

Photo credit: Somtrans
Published: 16 December, 2025