UASC and Gulftainer mark 15,000 TEU green vessel maiden call to Khorfakkan Port

Largest UASC vessel to date to call Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT)

Dubai, 10th April, 2016:  United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), a leading container shipping line and emerging global carrier, and Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately-owned, independent port operator based in the UAE, marked the maiden call of UASC’s 15,000 TEU M.V. Linah into Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), at an event today. The M.V. Linah is the largest UASC vessel to call at Khorfakkan Port to date, and is one of the ships built as part of UASC’s advanced newbuilding program; worth over USD2.3 billion and comprising 17 ships to be delivered between November 2014 and 2016, of which 11 are 15,000 TEU vessels and six are 18,800 TEU vessels.

The superior series of vessels that are part of UASC’s advanced newbuilding program are considered the world’s greenest due to their outstanding environmental credentials and first-class technology on-board, being ranked among the best performing carriers based on CO2 emissions in a recent progress report by Business for Social Responsibility’s (BSR) Clean Cargo Working Group.

The momentous event was attended by senior executives from Gulftainer and UASC, as well as several of UASC’s key customers in the region.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Waleed Al Dawood, Chief Operating Officer at UASC said, “Today, we are very proud to celebrate the arrival of our 15,000 TEU vessel to KCT with our partner, Gulftainer and a number of our key customers. The arrival of M.V. Linah at Khorfakkan Port is an indicator of KCT’s track-record in maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency.”

Mr. Al Dawood added, “Today is also an example of the strong ties between Khorfakkan Port, Gulftainer and UASC. Together, we continue to provide our UAE customers with efficient and effective green shipping solutions, with UASC vessels making a significant 428 calls to Khorfakkan in 2015.
“This event is also notable as it coincides with UASC’s 40th anniversary, a milestone we are very proud to share with our partners.”

Flemming Dalgaard, CEO, Gulftainer, said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome UASC’s largest ship to the Khorfakkan Container Terminal, and congratulate the company’s leadership for their successful achievements over the last 40 years, including the advanced newbuilding program. Gulftainer has made huge strides in improving our capabilities at Khorfakkan, and we thank UASC for their continued confidence in our ability to deliver to their needs.”

To date, UASC has taken delivery of six 18,800 TEU class vessels - Barzan, Al Muraykh, Al Nefud, Al Zubara Al Dahna and Tihama, and seven 15,000 TEU class vessels - Sajir, Al Murabba, Salahuddin, Linah, Al Nasriyah, Al Dhail and Al Mashrab respectively. The 15,000 TEU vessels are some of the first in the world to receive an Energy Efficiency Certificate with documented Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).