Dispute between shipowner and yard keeps pallet ship on dry land

At the end of June, the first example of the ‘pallet shuttle barge’ (PSB) was launched at the New Scheldt Shipyards (NSW) in Rupelmonde. With this new type of barge – a catamaran equipped with its own crane and capable of loading 300 tonnes – Blue Line Logistics aims to give a new dimension to the transport of goods on pallets and in big bags by water. Shipowner Antoon Van Coillie has big plans. In time, he wants to bring several dozen PSBs into service.