Global energy trading giant Vitol Group is extending its reach in the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-for-transport market with the acquisition of a majority stake in a German supplier.

Vitol said Tuesday it had purchased a share in Liquind GmbH, which has a network of 15 filling stations serving the trucking industry in Germany, for an undisclosed sum. Liquind is aiming to grow its network regionally and extend its business to include biogas for transportation.

“We expect gas to become an important low emissions fuel for the trucking industry in Europe, with the market moving from LNG to bioLNG over time,” Vitol CEO Russell Hardy said. 

In a joint statement, Liquind managing directors Christian Schneider and Gabor Beyer said the deal with Vitol would help the supplier...