Sallaum Lines - Experts & Thought Leaders

ABS hosted the second edition of the Middle East Women in Maritime Summit at the Address Dubai Mall, gathering more than 150 industry professionals to celebrate the expanding role of women in the region’s maritime sector. Themed “Advancing Women in Maritime – Challenges and Opportunities,” the summit showcased stories of leadership and mentorship across the Middle East’s fast-growing maritime ecosystem. Keynote address Guests of honour included Her Excellency Engineer Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the UAE Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs and outgoing President of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA), and Engineer Khalid Alhammad, President of Bahri Ship Management. In her keynote address, H.E. Eng. Hessa Al Malek reflected on her tenure leading AWIMA and announced the appointment of Noura Alqathami of Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority as the association’s new president. Next generation of maritime pioneers “The success of women in maritime is not a women’s issue, it is an industry success story,” said H.E. Eng. Hessa Al Malek, adding “When we include more perspectives, we strengthen safety, innovation, and competitiveness.” “This year, our commitment has been exemplified by training 25 female cadets in partnership with Sharjah Maritime Academy and under the Saudi Flag IMO NextWave Seafarers program. These talented women are now part of our fleet, setting a new standard for the region and inspiring the next generation of maritime pioneers. We also extend our sincere gratitude to ABS for their steadfast support and for hosting this important event. Together, we are shaping a more collaborative, innovative, and resilient future for maritime,” said Eng. Khalid Alhammad. Event’s panel discussion Moderated by Jessica Mahaffey, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, the event’s panel discussion featured: Eng. Mashael Al Marzooqi, Vice President of Asset Management, ADNOC Logistics & Services Alia Al Janahi, Vice President, HSE, DP World Anan Abdullatif, Senior Manager, Commercial Operations, Asyad Shipping Natalie Sallaum, Chief Relationship Officer, Sallaum Lines Nicolai Friis, CEO, Adani Ports & Harbour Services International How collaboration fuels innovation The panel explored how collaboration fuels innovation, how companies can establish structured career pathways for women, and how mentorship can help more women succeed in maritime careers. The program also featured a fireside chat, “Leading the Way: Stories of Female Trailblazers in Maritime,” with Dr. Carolin Stumm, Area Managing Director at Hapag-Lloyd Middle East; Maria Kristina Javellana, General Manager – Head of Fleet at Hafnia Chemical Tankers, and Bahri cadets Dr. Mariam Alshaikh and Anoud Al-Blooshi, who shared first-hand experiences from life at sea and the importance of mentorship in shaping the next generation. Collaboration across industry  “Each story we heard today — whether from seasoned pioneers or new cadets — shows that talent, not gender, defines excellence,” said Dheeraj Sharma, ABS Vice President, Marine & Offshore Regional Business Development (MEA). He adds, “This summit continues to grow because collaboration across our industry is making real change possible.”

Sallaum Lines has celebrated the European debut of its first LNG dual-fuel newbuilding, the Ocean Breeze, with a landmark ceremony in the port of Antwerp. The vessel’s launch underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and marks an important step in its broader fleet expansion strategy. Event highlights The milestone was marked on 19 September with a celebration at Sallaum Terminal, attended by international guests The milestone was marked on 19 September with a celebration at Sallaum Terminal, attended by international guests including government officials, OEM representatives, port executives, and industry partners. Guests toured the Ocean Breeze and the upgraded terminal facilities before joining a ceremony that featured keynote speeches by Ms. Natalie Sallaum and Mr. Johan Klaps, Deputy Mayor for Port and Economy, City of Antwerp. A panel discussion on the future of automotive logistics and an official ribbon-cutting underlined the significance of the occasion for both Sallaum Lines and the wider industry. A more sustainable supply chain The Ocean Breeze has capacity for 7,500 CEU and is powered by dual-fuel LNG engines. The vessel delivers substantial reductions in CO₂, NOₓ, and particulate emissions compared to conventional tonnage. An optimised hull design and energy-saving devices further increase efficiency. “The Ocean Breeze is not just about capacity, but about shaping a cleaner, more resilient supply chain for the decades ahead,” said Chief Relationship Officer - Natalie Sallaum of Sallaum Lines, adding “Our customers demand scale, sustainability, and reliability: the Ocean Breeze proves we can deliver all three. More than a vessel, it represents a new chapter in automotive logistics, preparing us for the next wave of vehicle flows between Asia, Europe, and beyond.” Antwerp terminal expansion positions Sallaum Lines for growth To accommodate its growing fleet, Sallaum Terminal Antwerp recently completed a €20 million expansion To accommodate its growing fleet, Sallaum Terminal Antwerp recently completed a €20 million expansion. Capacity has been increased from 10,000 to 17,000 CEU with a new multi-level Parkhouse and upgraded berth infrastructure, enabling four RoRo vessels to be handled simultaneously.  Additional facilities for pre-delivery inspection, breakbulk handling, warehousing, and intermodal connections ensure faster and more reliable services for OEMs. “The expansion turns Antwerp into the backbone of Sallaum’s European network,” said David Van Ballaert, Managing Director of Sallaum Terminal, adding “With greater capacity and faster processing, we are giving our partners unmatched efficiency at a time when the automotive supply chain is rapidly evolving.” Looking ahead The Ocean Breeze is the first of six LNG dual-fuel PCTCs to join the Sallaum Lines fleet by 2027, adding over 45,000 CEU in capacity and strengthening Sallaum Lines’ position among the top global RoRo carriers. Supported by the expanded Antwerp hub, these vessels are part of Sallaum’s global green logistics network. The company is also preparing to implement shore power connections and solar energy systems at its terminal, reinforcing its 2030 net-zero ambition.

Sallaum Lines proudly announces the successful early delivery of the MV Ocean Breeze, a next-generation LNG dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) built by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding in China. The vessel was delivered on July 18, an impressive four months ahead of schedule, setting a new standard for green shipbuilding speed and precision. The Ocean Breeze is more than just a new ship; it represents a major milestone in Sallaum Lines’ strategic vision to modernise global automotive logistics through innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation. A flagship of collaboration and sustainability Delivery marks a notable deepening of the coalition between Europe’s automotive RORO carrier This delivery marks a significant deepening of the partnership between Europe’s pioneering automotive RORO carrier and China’s advanced maritime manufacturing sector. It also highlights the key role of Chinese financial institutions in supporting sustainable shipping, with Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd providing tailored leasing solutions to support the transaction. Key features of Ocean Breeze Capacity: 7,500 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) Dimensions: 199.9m length × 38m beam, with 13 vehicle decks Technology: LNG dual-fuel main engine, electric RORO systems, and ultra-low emission profile Versatility: Equipped to carry conventional vehicles, new energy vehicles (NEVs), and packaged hazardous cargo Compliance: ABS-classed, exceeding IMO decarbonisation standards Accelerating China-focused growth The Ocean Breeze is part of a broader strategy by Sallaum Lines to establish a China-focused global logistics network. The company has: Ordered six additional green PCTCs from Chinese shipyards Fujian Mawei and CMHI Jinling. Opened a new office in Shanghai to support Chinese automotive manufacturers (OEMs) directly. Committed to long-term collaboration across shipbuilding, financing, and service in China. Power of international cooperation “Our relationship with Chinese partners is rooted in trust, performance, and a shared commitment to sustainable maritime development,” said Mr. Sami Sallaum, Chairman of Sallaum Lines. “The Ocean Breeze showcases not just cutting-edge green technology, but also the power of international cooperation to accelerate the future of shipping.” Looking ahead As global demand for cleaner, more efficient transport rises, Sallaum Lines is investing in a new era of low-emission, high-capacity vessels designed for flexibility, speed, and global integration. The Ocean Breeze is the first of many steps toward a cleaner, faster, and more collaborative global shipping model—one where industrial synergy and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.