Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen said it has launched the first out of 40 LNG-powered inland waterway barges which would go on charter to Shell.
Concordia Damen said in a statement on Monday it floated out the barge Blue Marjan at the casco yard in Serbia.
To remind, institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management have ordered the barges in November last year. In addition, Dutch cryogenic firm Cryonorm won the contract to supply LNG marine fuel systems.
All of the barges, known as the Parsifal tankers, will go on charter to Shell while VT Group/Marlow will operate them.
The eco-friendly dual-fuel barges will be 110 meters long and 11.5 meters wide.
Furthermore, they will feature shallow draught capabilities and will carry mineral oils between Antwerp, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Rhine network.
Concordia Damen previously said it planned to deliver the first tanker in November 2021.
After that, the yard plans to deliver one barge each month, completing the order by December 2024.