At the naming ceremony of HGK Shipping’s new vessel “GAS 96” in Rotterdam (left to right): Bjorn Krijgsman, Buyer Logistics Barging EU at LyondellBasell; Reverend Daniel Odhiambo; Anke Bestmann, Director Gas Shipping & Managing Director HGK Gas Shipping GmbH; Yarelis Hernandez, LYB Vice President of Global Intermediates & Derivatives Manufacturing; Steffen Bauer, CEO at HGK AG; Folkert Bloembergen, Director Global Ocean, Inland Waterways & Storage Procurement at LyondellBasell
© Maritime Filming Group

Duisburg / Rotterdam. A new milestone in sustainable inland waterway shipping has been set: HGK Shipping officially put into service another future-oriented vessel through the naming ceremony for the gas tanker, “GAS 96”, in Rotterdam on 9 October 2025. This is the third gas tanker that combines extreme optimization for operations in shallow waters with a diesel-electric “future-fuel-ready” drive system for Europe’s largest inland waterway shipping company.

Acting as a pioneer in the sector, HGK Shipping is continuing to rely on innovative vessel designs. The “GAS 96” will operate on the Rhine routes between Rotterdam, Antwerp and Cologne with immediate effect and transport gases that have been liquefied under pressure for the chemicals group, LyondellBasell (LYB). A long-term charter agreement forms the basis for this.

With the “GAS 96”, HGK Shipping puts into service a future-orientated gas tanker that combines efficiency, sustainability, and security of supply.
© Maritime Filming Group

The “GAS 96” provides four tanks with a total cargo volume of 3,256 cubic meters for transport operations. Developed at HGK Shipping’s innovative Design Center, the vessel is 110 meters long and 15 meters wide. With its exceptional parameters, the “GAS 96” is setting new standards for the inland waterway sector.

Thanks to its extremely modern rudder propellors, the large tanker can also safely maneuver in extreme water level conditions. Even if the draught is only 1.20 meters, it can carry more than 300 tons in order to safeguard reliable supplies, even during challenging weather phases. In ideal water conditions, the maximum tonnage per journey is more than 2,500 tons. After the hull was first completed at Severnav in Romania, the superstructure work recently took place at De Gerlien van Tiem in the Netherlands.

Focusing on customer requirements

“Within our close working relationship with HGK Shipping, we’ve repeatedly become aware of how our long-standing partner is meeting our needs with convincing ideas that provide solutions in an environment that’s constantly changing. The ‘GAS 96’ is a clear example of this innovative and cooperative approach,” said Yarelis Hernandez, the LYB Vice President of Global Intermediates & Derivatives Manufacturing, on the sidelines of the naming ceremony in Rotterdam. “Saving resources by using sustainable logistics and a high degree of reliability for supplies are crucial goals in supply chain management for our production and that of our joint venture partner, Covestro.”

Shaping inland waterway shipping to meet future needs

Anke Bestmann, the Managing Director of HGK Gas Shipping GmbH, underlined the following. “The ‘GAS 96’ is not just a tanker for the present time, but also one for the future. Goods that will need to be transported in future, such as ammonia, and fuel systems that are just being developed, such as methanol, have already been taken into consideration with this vessel design. In addition, the power management system on the new vessel reduces fuel consumption and waste gas emissions, as it already adapts the power that’s made available to the output that’s required. The gas tanker has been developed in line with the special requirements of LyondellBasell (LYB) and Covestro. We’re delighted to be able to meet our customers’ needs through our innovative and sustainable new vessels.”

The vessel was named in Rotterdam by Yarelis Hernandez, the LYB Vice President of Global Intermediates & Derivatives Manufacturing, in conjunction with Reverend Daniel Odhiambo and HGK Shipping, during an official ceremony.