United Arab Shipping Company's (UASC) 18,800 teu ultra-large container carrier (ULCC) Al Muraykh made its maiden call at APM Terminals Zeebrugge on its maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.
The second of six 18,800 teu ULCCs ordered by UASC - the largest in the company's 56-vessel fleet - Al Muraykh and its sister ships are the greenest container carriers in the world. Their dual fuel auxiliary engines can already work with LNG, while the main engines are dual fuel-ready.
They are also the first ships to receive classification society DNV GL's notation certifying compliance with its latest gas-fueled rules.
One of a select few European terminals able to accommodate and handle these behemoths is APMT Zeebrugge, which has a 1,200 m-long quay with an alongside depth of 17.5 m and seven super post-Panamax cranes with a 24-row outreach. It handled 406,000 teu in 2014.
Speaking to IHS Maritime, an APMT spokeswoman said, "Zeebrugge has a 15.5 m-deep channel and two tugs guided the vessel in. Al Muraykh arrived partially laden with 8,500 teu and our count was limited to 900 moves - 600 load and 300 discharge.
"Al Muraykh is part of the industry's first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-ready fleet," she continued, "setting new standards for fuel and energy efficiency, and Zeebrugge has a long standing tradition with LNG.
"A gas hub for over 27 years, the port plays a leading role in the evolution of LNG fuelling and bunkering. Several bunkering operations have taken place here and we are excited about finalisation of the world's first LNG bunkering vessel, which will homeport in Zeebrugge. The outstanding service in LNG operations, the expert knowledge, and the attitude to achieve more in the field of LNG, has already persuaded clients that Zeebrugge is the port for them."
Some ports and terminals offer discounts to such 'green' vessels and IHS Maritime asked if APMT had any plans to introduce such a scheme.
"Not yet, but definitely food for thought," the spokeswoman concluded.
As of 1 September, there were 31 vessels of 18,000 teu capacity or above in global service, with 72 more awaiting delivery.
UASC, currently the world's 15th-largest shipping line, is in the middle of an ambitious expansion programme which includes the pending deliveries of the four further 18,800 teu ships as well as six 15,000 teu-sized vessels, adding another 170,000 teu capacity to its fleet, an increase of 35%.
"UASC is setting a new world standard in environmental performance for liner services, as well as fleet growth, and we are very proud to be a part of this historic process," said APMT Zeebrugge managing director Carla Debart. "Geographically, it makes business sense that our terminal is the first port of call in northern Europe, with our ideal access to inland markets and ability to easily handle 10-tier above deck stowage, 24-wide vessels."
Port of Zeebrugge CEO Joachim Coens added, "There is a growing demand for sustainable solutions in the shipping industry and Zeebrugge is a clean port that's very conscious of, and keen on, this evolution. We are proud of our client and congratulate UASC with the delivery of their green ULCCs."
Source IHS
Topic: World's largest dual fuel ship makes maiden call at Zeebrugge (Read 1852 times)