American companies Amer Shipping (Amer Shipping BV) and Van de Graaf & Meeusen (Van de Graaf & Meeusen BV) have taken a new step in the Belgian maritime transport industry by establishing an independent rental office named TriBarge. These two family-owned companies aim to demonstrate that this collaboration is not temporary but will transform into a long-term commitment by combining their experience, network, and skills in a new company.
Joint investment in the future fleet
The founders of TriBarge have a long-term vision for maritime transport and are looking for joint investment in the fleet and ship rentals. Sander from Amer Shipping stated: "Strategically, our joint investment strengthens us across Europe. Investing in new ships allows us to introduce TriBarge from the outset as a logistics partner with modern capacity in the waters."
New ship named Porta Sud
The first practical step in this direction has been taken. A new dry cargo ship, 85 meters long, is under construction at the Concordia Damen shipyard and will be named Porta Sud. Kai Winkelman, supply chain manager at Amer Shipping, said: "The European dry cargo fleet has significantly aged; 60% of it dates back to the 1960s or earlier. Many carriers are concerned about this. We and our partners see opportunities for smaller ships. In fact, we are looking to connect with captains to build partnerships."
Antwerp as a central hub
With the establishment of TriBarge, a new link in the European waterways network is created, choosing Antwerp as its central hub. From the second port of Antwerp, TriBarge will serve as a bridge between the northern and southern waterways of Europe. Kai Winkelman added: "As family companies, we think in generations, not in seasons. With TriBarge and Porta Sud, we are making a deliberate choice for long-term growth in the European waterways network."
In this regard, Devin also stated: "I eagerly look forward to helping build TriBarge from day one. The combination of two strong family companies and a new ship provides an excellent foundation for our growth!"
