Latest UASC mega-boxship tops in eco-efficiency standards

Following closely on the heels of the 15,000-teu A15 class vessels, of which three have already been launched, the Barzan will be the liner industry’s first LNG-ready ultra-large container ship (ULCS).

TheDNV GL-classed vessel will be the largest in UASC’s fleet and will set new standards for fuel and energy efficiency, due to optimized vessel design and an array of propulsion and equipment efficiency technologies, UASC said in a press release.

Preliminary calculations indicate an EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) value that is close to 50% below the 2025 limit set by IMO. The vessel also has a CO₂ output per teu that is more than 60% below the 13,500-teu (A13 class) vessels delivered just three years ago. More importantly slot costs will also be 20% to 25% lower than the A13s, cco Uffe Ostergaard told Seatrade Global.

At the naming ceremony, UASC chairman Salem Ali Al Zaabi, who also named the vessel, said: “The delivery of our first 18,800 teu vessel, the MV Barzan demonstrates our commitment to technical innovation and eco-effectiveness. We are expanding our fleet by building larger, greener vessels, which support our global ambitions to fulfil and exceed our customers’ requirements. These vessels will be deployed in key east-west trades; allowing us to deploy our A13 vessels in other trades and giving our customers a greater geographic reach.”

“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 organization and our customers”, added president and ceo Jørn Hinge.

“We are increasingly servicing environmentally aware customers across the globe. We push the boundaries of eco-efficiency standards to ultimately ensure that our customers can achieve higher levels of environmental sustainability” Hinge added.

UASC takes this responsibility seriously. As part of the LNG-ready design of the ship, space has been allocated for LNG fuel tanks and has been provided for at the expense of about 300-350 boxes, revealed Hinge.

UASC’s eleven newbuild 15,000 teu and six 18,800 teu vessels are scheduled to be fully delivered by 2016. This year, UASC will receive a total of 10 new vessels.