UASC names LNG-ready container vessel

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has named the first ever LNG-ready ultra large container vessel.

MV Sajir is the first vessel in UASC’s current newbuilding program, comprising 17 eco-efficient vessels.

Eco-efficient

With a capacity of 15,000 TEU (A15), the DNV GL classed vessel is the largest and most eco-efficient vessel in this capacity range. Preliminary calculations indicate an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) value that is close to 50% below the 2025 limit established by the IMO.

MV Sajir will start operating on the Asia–North Europe route following delivery. Ten further A15 vessels and six 18,800 TEU (A18) box ships will be delivered from Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries to UASC by mid-2016.

Comments

H.E. Salem Ali Al Zaabi, Chairman of UASC

“At UASC, we see efficiency as a key competitive differentiator in an increasing competitive market. Whether it stems from improving vessel design through our newbuilding program, strategic partnerships or empowering our people onboard and ashore to deliver improvements, efficiency pervades every facet of our expansion plans. The Sajir perfectly embodies this ethos and, as the first of 17 vessels in our current newbuilding program, represents an important milestone in the evolution of UASC.

“UASC is proud of its Middle Eastern heritage and the Sajir takes its name from an area in Saudi Arabia that is known for its luscious landscape and farming heritage. We hope the Sajir personifies her namesake in many ways, with a long and fruitful career and full cargo holds.”

Jorn Hinge, President and CEO of UASC

“These highly efficient vessels help us significantly reduce the amount of fuel we consume per container. We operate one of the world’s youngest container vessel fleets and are committed to making it more environmentally sustainable. The A15 vessels go beyond what regulations require and set new standards in terms of efficient, safe and sustainable operations.”

Choi Kil-Seon, Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries

“Energy efficiency and sustainability are instrumental in developing and constructing state of the art container ships – and the A15 vessels fall in this category. We are happy to be working with UASC on this truly innovative project and are pleased that our technical expertise could help the owner in realising it.”

Tor Svensen, CEO of DNV GL Maritime

“By combining leading innovations in ship design, propulsion technology, energy management and container stowage, the UASC newbuildings set new standards in container shipping. We would like to thank our partners for mutually sharing their knowledge with our experts in order to develop some of the most efficient and safest vessels the industry has seen so far.”

LNG retrofit

The carbon dioxide output per TEU for this new vessel class will be 22% less than for a 13,500 TEU vessel delivered two years ago. The environmental credentials of the A15 class are further highlighted by the fact that these vessels are designed and prepared for a quick and cost-efficient LNG retrofit at a later stage. This LNG-ready concept has been confirmed with an Approval in Principle from DNV GL.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/27112014/uasc-naming-ceremony-for-lng-retrofit-vessel-1874/