Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Al-Muraykh

On the morning of November 26, 2020, the container ship 'Al Muraykh' encountered significant trouble while navigating through the Suez Canal, running aground near Al Ismailiya. The vessel, which was heading south, experienced a loss of power, causing it to ground itself in the southbound traffic lanes. Fortunately, approximately twenty vessels that were positioned ahead in the southbound convoy were not impacted and were able to continue their passage through the canal. However, nine other vessels en route were left stuck behind the stranded container ship as operations were also halted for the northbound convoy. Swiftly responding to the situation, the Suez Canal Authority deployed assistance tugs to help free the grounded vessel. After a challenging five hours, 'Al Muraykh' was successfully refloated and moved to an anchorage in the Bitter Lakes for necessary inspections, allowing traffic to resume through this critical maritime waterway. Hapag Lloyd, the ship's operator, expressed confidence that the vessel would continue its journey without further delays. Subsequently, 'Al Muraykh' resumed its course, departing from Coryton on its way towards Suez.

In a remarkable achievement for the maritime industry, United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has successfully loaded an unprecedented 18,601 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) onto its cutting-edge mega-ship, the Al Muraykh. This impressive vessel, which debuted in August, is currently en route to Felixstowe, England, having departed from Port Klang in Malaysia. The record-breaking load is part of UASC's AEC1 service and marks a significant milestone in shipping efficiency. The two-week journey is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per TEU by 60% compared to a traditional 13,500 TEU ship, underlining UASC's commitment to eco-friendly operations. The containers were loaded in collaboration with UASC's partners in the Ocean Three Alliance, specifically CMA CGM and China Shipping Container Lines. The Al Muraykh is the first of six “A18” vessels, each capable of carrying up to 18,800 TEU, designed with state-of-the-art fuel and energy efficiency technologies. Equipped to manage 10 tiers below deck and 11 high on deck, the vessel accommodates 1,000 reefer slots and operates with a skilled crew of 22, including nine officers. This innovative vessel exemplifies the future direction of the shipping industry toward sustainability and efficiency.

The celebrated arrival of the LNG-ready Al Muraykh, the second of six Ultra-Large Container Ships (ULCS) ordered by United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), marked a significant milestone as it made its inaugural call at APM Terminals Zeebrugge. This momentous event occurred as part of the AEC1 (Asia/Europe Container Service 1) route, showcasing the vessel’s impressive 18,800 TEU capacity. Al Muraykh represents a leap forward in maritime technology, boasting a remarkable 60% reduction in CO2 emissions per TEU compared to 13,500 TEU vessels delivered just three years prior. Uniquely, these ships are designed to operate on either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or conventional heavy fuel oil, making them a leader in sustainability. Furthermore, Al Muraykh is the first vessel to secure DNV GL certification in line with the latest LNG regulations, emphasizing its commitment to environmental standards. APM Terminals Zeebrugge, which has the capability to accommodate ULCS vessels—with containers stacked up to 10-high and 24 containers-wide—was pivotal in this historic landing. In 2014, this terminal handled a total of 406,000 TEUs, solidifying its status as North Europe's seventh-busiest container port. As of September 1st, the global fleet features 31 vessels of 18,000 TEU capacity or greater, with an additional 72 vessels on the horizon, showcasing the growing trend towards larger container ships in global trade.