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United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has named the world's first ever LNG-ready ultra-large container ship (ULCS). MV Sajir is the first vessel in UASC's current newbuilding program, comprising 17 ships in total.

With a capacity of 15,000 TEU, the DNV GL-classed A15 vessel is said to be the largest and most eco-efficient ship in this capacity range.

Preliminary calculations are said to indicate an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) value that is close to 50 percent below the 2025 limit established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). MV Sajir is scheduled to start operating on the Asia–North Europe route after delivery. Ten further A15 vessels and six 18,800 TEU (A18) box ships are to be delivered from Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries to UASC by mid-2016.

Speaking at the naming ceremony in Ulsan, South Korea, 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."

Jorn Hinge, President and Chief Executive Officer of UASC, commented: "These highly efficient vessels help us significantly reduce the amount of fuel we consume per container. 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."

Choi Kil-Seon, Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries, remarked: "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."

Tor Svensen, Chief Executive Officer of DNV GL Maritime, said: "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." According to UASC, the CO2 output per TEU for this new vessel class will be 22 percent less than for a 13,500 TEU vessel delivered only two years ago.

The A15 vessels are also "designed and prepared for a quick and cost-efficient LNG retrofit at a later stage", the shipping firm said. This 'LNG-ready' concept has also been confirmed with an approval in principle (AIP) granted from DNV GL.

Additionally, UASC said the vessels will 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.

UASC said the ships 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 to be equipped with a shore-to-ship power supply solution to enable zero emissions at berth, which is documented by the 'Shore Power' class notation.