United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) was founded in 1976 jointly by the six shareholding states of Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
UASC is a major player in the Middle East region and adjacent markets, in container shipping. Our network covers over 200 ports and destinations world wide, offering containerized and conventional cargo transportations, temperature controlled cargo and value added services to a diversified Client-base.
UASC is Headquartered in Kuwait with a Corporate Office in Dubai and regional offices servicing: the Middle East region from Dubai, the Europe region from London, the Asian region from Singapore, and the North America region from Cranford New Jersey.
UASC fleet currently operates 11 services, connecting the Middle East to Europe, Mediterranean, Indian Sub-continent, Far East and The Americas.
The company’s Slot-Share agreements allow for wider-range coverage and cost-effective services.
Following a strategic review back in 2005, UASC adopted a new development and growth plan “towards 2012”. To that end we’ve been busy building our fleet to a critical mass that can effectively improve the company’s competitiveness and position it for favorable responsiveness to the market’s evolving demand.
The latest in ship technology and environment friendly specifications are incorporated into UASC ships, to guarantee the highest possible levels of efficiency and reliability in services to meet the growing Clients’ needs.
UASC currently operates a fleet of (52) fully cellular container vessels. During 2008 we took delivery of 8 x A7 (6,921 teus) ships with one more received earlier this year. Another 10 x A4 (4,200teus) ships will be delivered during the course of 2009.
Our order for 9 x 13,100 teus placed last year constitutes the biggest containership newbuilding order ever placed by a GCC owned company, valued at $1.5 billion; deliveries are expected in 2 years time. By that time, our fleet will have grown to comprise more than 60 modern container ships and, a substantially bigger capacity.
During 2008, despite the collapse of trade markets, UASC was able to grow its transports volume from 1.3 million in 2007 to an excess of 1.7 million TEUs in 2008.
Our container fleet stands at an excess of 300,000 TEUs at present.
Furthermore, and in line with the company’s growth plan, UASC ventured into strategic investments in container terminals such as Damietta International Port Company Ltd. (DIPCO).
UASC is committed to long-term growth and to offering a first class service to its customers. In that respect consumer driven solutions were introduced to the company’s information system. By end 2009 UASC will have its entire network integrated within a highly performing Integrated Container Carrier Information System ‘TRUST’, which automates business operations and accommodates the company’s growing capacity.
This platform equally fulfills faster communication with our ships and ensures operational excellence on key issues such as Tender Management, Vessel Management and Rate Inquiry, benefiting our overall E-Business perspective.
Keeping our customers satisfied has been essential in maintaining the long-term prosperity of our company and business. And remains the driving force behind the optimization of our performances and reliability. We continue to stay devoted towards incorporating newer ideas and technologies that will benefit the overall value of our company.