Sallaum Lines unveils first LNG dual-fuel vessel in Europe

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.