UASC Sajir
Ulsan, Korea, 27 November 2014 – United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) today named the industry’s first ever LNG-ready ultra large container vessel. MV “Sajir” is the first vessel in UASC’s current newbuilding program, comprising 17 of the world’s most eco-efficient vessels.
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 after 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.
Speaking at today’s naming ceremony in Ulsan, H.E. Salem Ali Al Zaabi, Chairman of UASC, said: “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, ” Al Zaabi added.
“These highly efficient vessels help us significantly reduce the amount of fuel we consume per container, ” said Jorn Hinge, President and Chief Executive Officer of UASC. “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, ” he remarked.
The “Sajir”
“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 realizing it, ” said Choi Kil-Seon, Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries.
“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, ” said Tor Svensen, Chief Executive Officer of DNV GL Maritime.
The CO2 output per TEU for this new vessel class will be 22% less than for a 13, 500 TEU vessel delivered only 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 as an industry first. The vessels will further receive DNV GL’s CLEAN class notation, which documents that the new generation ships comply with environmental regulations beyond today’s normal IMO, flag and class standards. They will also be provided with an Inventory of Hazardous Materials, which is not yet a mandatory requirement, and they are one of the first to receive an Energy Efficiency Certificate with documented EEDI.
Moreover, all A15 vessels are equipped with an approved ballast water treatment system and a shore-to-ship power supply solution to enable zero emissions at berth, which is documented by the “Shore Power” class notation.
The A15 class vessels also deliver world-class standards of structural safety. The fatigue strength of the hull structure is based on the assumption of 25 years of operation in the North Atlantic, which is far beyond the normal standard. The A15 vessels will also be equipped with a DNV GL approved hull stress monitoring system that provides guidance to the crew on current stress level in the ship structure during operation.
About UASC
United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) is a global shipping company based in the Middle East. Founded in 1976, UASC is present in more than 75 countries around the world. The company is a major container shipping player in the Middle East region and adjacent markets, covering over 200 ports and destinations worldwide. UASC offers containerized and conventional cargo transportation, temperature controlled cargo and value added services to a diversified global client-base, covering the Middle East, Europe, Mediterranean, Indian Sub-Continent, Far East, Australia, West Africa and The Americas.
About Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), headquartered in Ulsan, Korea, was founded in 1972 and comprises seven business areas. The shipbuilding division leads the industry with a global market share of 15% and is capable of building all types of ships to meet various demands from its clients. Since 1972 the division has delivered more than 1, 967 vessels to 303 ship owners in 51 countries. Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard belong to the HHI group.
About DNV GL
DNV GL is the largest classification society in the world and dates back to 1864. Driven by the purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, the company enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. Operating in more than 100 countries, DNV GL’s 16, 000 professionals are dedicated to helping their customers in the maritime, oil & gas, energy and other industries to make the world safer, smarter and greener.
