Sallaum Lines has celebrated the European debut of its first LNG dual-fuel newbuilding, the Ocean Breeze, with a landmark ceremony in the Port of Antwerp.

The milestone was marked on 19 September with a celebration at Sallaum Terminal, attended by international guests including government officials, OEM representatives, port executives, and industry partners.

Guests toured the Ocean Breeze and the upgraded terminal facilities before joining a ceremony that featured keynote speeches by Natalie Sallaum and Johan Klaps, Deputy Mayor for Port and Economy, City of Antwerp.

A panel discussion on the future of automotive logistics and an official ribbon-cutting underlined the significance of the occasion for both Sallaum Lines and the wider industry.

The Ocean Breeze has capacity for 7,500 CEUs and is powered by dual-fuel LNG engines. The vessel delivers substantial reductions in CO2, NOₓ, and particulate emissions compared to conventional tonnage. An optimised hull design and energy-saving devices further increase efficiency.

Chief Relationship Officer Natalie Sallaum of Sallaum Lines, said: “The Ocean Breeze is not just about capacity, but about shaping a cleaner, more resilient supply chain for the decades ahead.

“Our customers demand scale, sustainability, and reliability: the Ocean Breeze proves we can deliver all three. More than a vessel, it represents a new chapter in automotive logistics, preparing us for the next wave of vehicle flows between Asia, Europe, and beyond.”

To accommodate its growing fleet, Sallaum Terminal Antwerp recently completed a €20 million ($23.6 million) expansion.

Capacity has been increased from 10,000 to 17,000 CEUs with a new multi-level Parkhouse and upgraded berth infrastructure, enabling four RoRo vessels to be handled simultaneously.

Additional facilities for pre-delivery inspection, breakbulk handling, warehousing, and intermodal connections ensure faster and more reliable services for OEMs.

David Van Ballaert, Managing Director of Sallaum Terminal, stated: “The expansion turns Antwerp into the backbone of Sallaum’s European network.

“With greater capacity and faster processing, we are giving our partners unmatched efficiency at a time when the automotive supply chain is rapidly evolving.”

The Ocean Breeze is the first of six LNG dual-fuel PCTCs to join the Sallaum Lines fleet by 2027, adding over 45,000 CEUs in capacity and strengthening Sallaum Lines’ position among the top global RoRo carriers.

Supported by the expanded Antwerp hub, these vessels are part of Sallaum’s global green logistics network.

The company is also preparing to implement shore power connections and solar energy systems at its terminal, reinforcing its 2030 net-zero ambition.

Earlier this April, Sallaum Lines partnered with Inmarsat Maritime to implement the NexusWave bonded connectivity service, becoming an early regional adopter.