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United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has taken delivery of what is claimed to be the industry’s most environmentally efficient container vessel from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries’ Mokpo yard in South Korea. The lead ship in the A19 series Barzan, also one of the industry’s first LNG-ready container vessels, has a loading capacity of 18,800 teu, making it the largest in the UASC fleet, and one of the biggest container vessels worldwide.
Some reports suggest that the nominal capacity of the vessel has in fact been upgraded to 19,800 teu. This would make it a world record breaker, as the largest containership currently afloat, ahead of the 19,200 teu capacity MSC Oscar which was delivered earlier this year.
UASC chairman, H.E. Salem Ali Al Zaabi, says, “We are tremendously proud to have taken delivery of the Barzan, which we believe is the largest vessel of its type in the world. Building six of these ships, as well as eleven 15,000 teu capacity vessels, is a big project for UASC, with a total cost of around US$ 2.3 billion, but is vital for our future.”
The DNV GL-classed Barzan is designed to set new standards for fuel and energy efficiency, through the incorporation of an array of new propulsion and other technologies. Preliminary calculations indicate an EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) value that is close to 50 per cent below the 2025 limit set by IMO, UASC states. Barzan’s CO2 output per teu is more than 60% below UASC’s 13,500 teu vessel series delivered just three years ago.
“We understand that providing environmentally friendly transport solutions and recognising environmental initiatives around the globe are no longer a choice; they are a necessity for both our organisation and our customers,” said Jørn Hinge, president and chief executive officer of UASC. “Barzan and the rest of the 18,800 teu fleet will complement the new 15,000 teu vessels which are being gradually delivered since November 2014 and are operating on the Asia-Europe trades as part of the Ocean 3 services.”
Barzan is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies to meet more stringent maritime regulations and provide UASC with a competitive advantage. Technologies previously used by UASC that have proved extremely effective in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, such as waste heat exchangers, have been applied once again, while Barzan and its sisters will be equipped with a shore-to-ship power supply solution for zero emissions at berth and an integrated system to monitor and optimise propulsion systems, machinery operations and navigation decision-making. The vessel is also equipped so that UASC can utilise LNG as an alternative fuel should it wish to do so in future.
UASC’s 11 new 15,000 teu and six 18,800 teu vessels are all scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2016. This year, UASC will receive a total of 10 of these new vessels with the second A19 class vessel expected in July.
H.E. Salem Al Zaabi adds, “This is an important moment for UASC. These vessels will be extremely fuel efficient, reducing our costs, but they will also boost our container transportation capacity quite significantly. The shipyard has done a great job and we look forward to taking delivery of the remaining vessels, which will push UASC well up the rankings in the container shipping market.”
