THE United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) is set to move up in the rankings of top ocean carriers and challenge for a place in the top 12 positions based on its latest newbuild orders.
UASC confirmed it has ordered five 18,000 TEU vessels and five 14,000 TEU vessels for delivery between late 2014 and mid-2015. It will increase the shipping line's vessel capacity offered at the end of last year by 60 per cent, and propel it from the bottom of the top 20 league into the top 12, according to Drewry Maritime Research.
The vessel order demonstrates that UASC intends to expand its presence between Asia and Europe. The timing of deliveries means that the five 18,000-TEU vessels could be combined with CSCL's five 18,400 TEU vessels to form another major weekly string between Asia and Northern Europe.
At present, UASC provides only three 13,300-TEU vessels in the AEC8's weekly service between Asia and Northern Europe, which is shared with six 14,100 TEU ships provided by CSCL and one 12,600-TEU vessel from CMA CGM. The schedule includes a westbound and eastbound call at Jeddah.
A further two 13,296 TEU UASC vessels form part of its shared AEC2 service with CMA CGM and MSC, which deploys a total of 11 vessels ranging from 13,296 TEU to 16,000 TEU and includes eastbound calls at both Khor Fakkan and Jebel Ali.
In the Asia-Mediterranean tradelane, seven UASC vessels of 6,920 TEU form part of the AMC1/AMX1 fleet of 10 vessels, with CSCL providing three 8,500 TEU ships. The schedule also includes eastbound calls at both Jeddah and Khor Fakkan.
Outside the Asia-Europe trade lane, a wide range of other schedules include three 13,296-TEU vessels deployed in the AGX1 service between the Far East and the Middle East.
The top 12 container shipping lines also have their eyes set on further vessel upgrades and will not be sweating too much over UASC's order, says Drewry. However, UASC is expected to join forces with other like-minded ocean carriers in the Asia-Europe trade lane to establish sufficient frequency to take bigger players.
WORLD SHIPPING
11 September 2013 - 18:47
UASC challenges top players with orders for new 18,000-TEU ships
THE United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) is set to move up in the rankings of top ocean carriers and challenge for a place in the top 12 positions based on its latest newbuild orders.
WORLD SHIPPING
11 September 2013 - 18:47
UASC challenges top players with orders for new 18,000-TEU ships
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