World's greenest ultra-large container vessel calls Red Sea Gateway Terminal in Jeddah Islamic Port

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) celebrated the world's greenest ultra-large container vessel 18,800TEU M.V. Al Nefud during its maiden call to RSGT at Jeddah Islamic Port today. The event was attended by Dr. Nabeel Al-Amudi, President of the Saudi Ports Authority and Chairman of UASC, Mr. Waleed Al Dawood, COO at UASC and Mr. Mohammed Al-Mudarres, CEO at Saudi Industrial Services Company (SISCO), along with senior government and business dignitaries and officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Nabeel Al-Amudi said, "The arrival of M.V. Al Nefud at Jeddah Islamic Port is yet another significant milestone in the Port's track-record of achievements and an indicator of the increasing importance of the port and KSA in the shipping industry." "Jeddah Islamic Port is equally capable of receiving and handling vessels of this size and class" he added. "Ports are considered to be the backbone of a country's economy and the Saudi Ports Authority always seeks to support the ongoing development in the Kingdom through providing services of the highest standards." he stated.

"UASC is very proud of its strong ties with KSA and the Saudi Ports Authority as we continue to provide our Saudi customers with efficient and effective shipping solutions using different ports in the kingdom." said Waleed Al Dawood, Chief Operating Officer at United Arab Shipping Company.

To date, UASC has received six 18,800TEU class vessels; Barzan, Al Muraykh, Al Nefud, Al Zubara Al Dahna and Tihama respectively. This superior series of vessels are considered the world's greenest due to their outstanding environmental credentials and first-class technology on board. Putting these advanced vessels to the test Al Muraykh achieved a record breaking load of 18,601 TEU last month.

This unprecedented westbound shipment was also UASC's highest utilization to date of this very eco-efficient class, meaning the CO2 output per TEU on this journey is set to be more than 60% lower if the same containers were shipped on board a 13,500 TEU ship.

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