Energy major Shell is time-chartering a fleet of 15 new inland dual-fuel barges which will mainly run on LNG.

Shell said it has signed an agreement with Belgian companies Plouvier Transport and Intertrans Tankschiffahrt for the 110-metre-long units which will be built at Dutch yard Veka Shipbuilding.

The barges, which will be fitted with Wartsila propulsion kits, will use LNG as a fuel for between 95-98% of their running time with a small proportion of diesel used for ignition.