Freight News, Inland waterway


New venture set to develop Belgian and French barge market

[ October 20, 2026   //   ]

Amer Shipping and Van de Graaf & Meeusen have set up a new Antwerp-based inland shipping company focussing on the Belgian and French market.

TriBarge transports dry cargo on both the major rivers, and virtually all small tributaries and canals. The partners are jointly investing in new vessels, starting with the 58-metre Porta Sud to handle cargoes in the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp region, the German canals, the Moselle, Basel and, through Stream Shipping, a joint venture between MSGeG and Amer Shipping, as far as the Black Sea. It will move all types of dry cargo: bulk, agribulk, and also general cargo and breakbulk.

The partners says that TriBarge will create a new link in the European waterway network, with the Tweede Havendok, close to Antwerp’s Moordtgat as its central hub, between Northern and Southern European waterways.

Van De Graaf & Meeusen director, Sander Meeusen, said: “By joining forces, we can offer customers a broader range as well as more continuity and capacity on all European inland waterways. Investing together makes us stronger throughout Europe. In practical terms, investing in new vessels means that we can position TriBarge from the start as an experienced logistics partner with its own modern capacity on the water.”

The 85-metre Porta Sud is on order at Concordia Damen and is expected to enter service in the second half of 2027. The new vessel will be not only to navigate the major rivers, but also virtually all small ports, tributaries and canals.

Amer Shipping supply chain manager, Kai Winkelman, explained: “The European dry cargo fleet has aged considerably; 60% dates from the 1960s or earlier. Many shippers are concerned about this. We and our partners see an opportunity for those smaller vessels. In fact, we are actively seeking contact with skippers with whom we want to build partnerships. By bringing chartering brokers, shippers and carriers together, you ensure that we strengthen each other within the chain.”

Devin van Dam will join the TriBarge team as a chartering broker and the new venture is bringing in additional knowledge of the Belgian market and of European operational inland shipping practice with an experienced Belgian chartering broker expected to join in the second half of 2027.

Devin van Dam said: “The combination of two strong family businesses and a new vessel gives us a wonderful foundation for growth.”

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