UASC takes delivery of first A13 class containership

The new vessel is the first in a series of nine A13 class containerships ordered by the line at a combined contract price of around US$1.5bn. The remaining eight ships will enter service during the first four months of 2012.

With an overall length of 366 m the new vessel, called Umm Salal, can operate at a service speed of around 25 knots and has capacity for 800, 40ft reefer containers on deck, as well as having three holds designed for hazardous cargoes.

All the environmentally-friendly vessels will be equipped with waste heat recovery systems, which convert exhaust gases to electric power, and have hulls coated with a silicone paint designed to reduce water resistance and so cut fuel consumption.