The “Ocean Breeze” is the first in a series of six ships to be built for the shipping company Sallaum Lines.
The shipping company Sallaum Lines, which specializes in RoRo shipping, has celebrated the launch of its first LNG car carrier. The “Ocean Breeze” (7,500 CEU) is equipped with a dual-fuel engine and is expected to generate significantly lower emissions compared to conventional ships. An optimized hull design and other energy-saving installations further increase efficiency.
International guests and government representatives, port managers and industry partners were invited to the ceremony at the Sallaum Terminal in Antwerp. “Ocean Breeze is not just about capacity, it’s about creating a cleaner and more resilient supply chain for decades to come,” said Chief Relationship Officer Natalie Sallaum of Sallaum Lines. “Our customers demand size, sustainability and reliability: the ‘Ocean Breeze’ proves that we can deliver all of that. More than just a ship, it marks a new chapter in automotive logistics and prepares us for the next wave of vehicle flows between Asia, Europe and beyond.”
Four ships simultaneously at Sallaum Terminal
To accommodate its growing fleet, Sallaum Terminal Antwerp recently completed a €20 million expansion. Capacity has been increased from 10,000 to 17,000 CEU with a new multi-level parking garage and improved berth infrastructure, allowing four RoRo vessels to be handled simultaneously. Additional facilities for pre-delivery inspection, general cargo handling, warehousing and intermodal connections will ensure faster and more reliable services for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“The expansion makes Antwerp the backbone of Sallaum’s European network,” said David Van Ballaert, Managing Director of Sallaum Terminal. “With greater capacity and faster handling, we offer our partners unrivaled efficiency at a time when the automotive supply chain is evolving rapidly.”
The “Ocean Breeze” is the first of six LNG dual-fuel PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) that will be added to Sallaum Lines’ fleet by 2027. They will increase capacity by over 45,000 CEU and strengthen the Belgian company’s position among the leading global RoRo shipping companies. 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, underlining its net-zero target for 2030.
