Under the patronage of United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and in the presence of Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim Al-Thani, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Othman Ibrahim Al Issa, Vice Chairman of the Board, distinguished Members of the Board and the Executive Management, the vessel MV Al Safat bearing the Kuwaiti National Flag, was named and delivered to UASC on January 14, 2008, in Ulsan, South Korea.
UASC had contracted to build eight new generation containerships with a South Korean company specializing in shipbuilding ' Hyundai Heavy Industries Company Limited, Ulsan in March 2005 at a total cost of US $850 million. MV Al Safat is the first of the eight vessel series, the rest of the ships will be delivered to UASC in stages during 2008.
The Management of UASC went to great lengths to organize a grand ceremony befitting such an important occasion, considered a milestone in the shipping history of the Gulf region. Several dignitaries from the Arabian Gulf as well as important government officials were invited to participate in the Naming and Delivery Ceremony.
MV Al Safat is a new generation ship, among its technical merits being its speed, fuel efficient engine and capacity (up to 6,919 teus per ship) which will definitely benefit UASC customers through an optimization of services.
Speaking at the ceremony, UASC Chairman and BOD Member Sheikh Ali invited Vice Chairman and BOD Member ' Kuwait, Mr. Othman Ibrahim Al-Issa to bestow the name Al Safat on the Vessel. In his speech, the Chairman thanked HHI, Schiffko and UASC team for their hard work and timely delivery of MV Al Safat. The Chairman also appreciated HHI Management's warm hospitality and thanked the guests for attending the celebrations. He signed off by wishing the very best for UASC and HHI.
