New office in Antwerp focuses on Belgian and French shippers and offers a broad range of inland shipping solutions based on its own assets. The first newbuild vessel, the 85-metre Porta Sud, is on order.
Inland shipping companies Amer Shipping BV and De Graaf & Meeusen BV have founded an independent Belgian chartering office: TriBarge. The two family businesses are combining their experience, network and craftsmanship in one new company. By starting a new company with its own fleet, the two businesses want to show that this is not a temporary collaboration, but a long-term commitment.
TriBarge handles the chartering of inland vessels in the ARA region, the German canals, the Moselle and up to Basel. Through its partnership with Stream Shipping, a joint venture between MSGeG and Amer Shipping, the new company can serve destinations as far as the Black Sea. In doing so, TriBarge brings shippers and fleet management together. “By joining forces, we can offer customers a broader range of services and more continuity and capacity on all European inland waterways. The personal approach is already embedded in the way the partners work, and we are bringing it with us to TriBarge,” says Sander Meeusen, Director at Van De Graaf & Meeusen.
Investing together in the fleet of tomorrow
The founders share a long-term vision of inland shipping, both in terms of chartering and assets. Sander: “At a strategic level, investing together makes us stronger across Europe. In practical terms, investing in new vessels means that from the outset we can position TriBarge as an experienced logistics partner with its own modern capacity on the water.”
The first step has already been taken. An 85-metre newbuild dry cargo vessel has been ordered from Concordia Damen and will be named Porta Sud. Kai Winkelman, Supply Chain Manager at Amer Shipping, says: “The European dry cargo fleet is badly ageing; 60% dates from the 1960s or earlier. Many shippers are concerned about this. Our partners and we see an opportunity for those smaller vessels. In fact, we are actively reaching out to skippers with whom we want to build partnerships. By bringing charterers, shippers and carriers together, you make sure we strengthen one another within the chain.”
The vessel, which is expected to enter service in the second half of 2027, forms the foundation of the joint fleet and underlines the partners’ will and ability to keep investing in inland shipping. The aim is for the Porta Sud not only to sail the major rivers, but also to reach virtually all small ports, tributaries and canals.
Antwerp as a central hub
The founding of TriBarge creates a new link within the European waterway network, with Antwerp as its central hub. From the Tweede Havendok, close to the well-known Moordtgat, TriBarge forms a bridge between Northern and Southern European waterways.
Kai Winkelman: “As family businesses, we think in generations, not quarters. With TriBarge and the Porta Sud, we are making a conscious choice for long-term growth within the European waterway network. Think of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and other destinations.”
Strengthening the team
As of 1 November 2026, Devin van Dam will join the TriBarge team as a charterer. To support further growth, TriBarge is bringing in additional knowledge of the Belgian market and of European inland shipping operations: in Q2 2027, an experienced Belgian charterer will join. With this phased expansion, TriBarge is building a strong team in Antwerp with the knowledge and capacity to serve shipping companies, shippers and private skippers in Belgium and beyond.
Devin says: “I’m looking forward to helping build TriBarge from day one. The combination of two strong family businesses and a new vessel gives us a great foundation to grow!”
