Sharjah, Mar 13th, 2012 (WAM) -- Department of Seaports and Customs in Sharjah announced today the arrival of Umm Salal at the Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT). The vessel docked at its facility in Khorfakkan on the early hours of 12th March and stayed for 24 hours before moving on to its next destination.

The ship is the largest ever UASC vessel to call in the Middle East. This A13-class vessel boasts a maximum container capacity of 13,500 TEU, a maximum height of 68 meters and an overall length of 366 meters, making it one of the biggest vessels ever to enter the recently expanded terminal.

To commemorate this event, the officials of Gulftainer, the operator of the KCT gifted a commemorative plaque to the captain of the ship; Captain Emad El Sheakhly.

Terminal Manager Ed Finbow and Director of Operations, Steve Ogden, Captain Zakaria Hejal and Captain Rami Mansour from the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), Dubai joined the ceremony.

Gulftainer MD, Peter Richards, commented on the arrival of the new ship. "We are delighted to welcome the Umm Salal vessel into our flagship Khorfakkan Container Terminal. As a major hub for the shipping lines in the region, we consider it another significant sign of the positive partnership that Gulftainer has developed with the United Arab Shipping Company and further proof of the trust they have in our ability to handle their largest vessels".

KCT is widely considered to be amongst the most efficient terminals in the world; a crucial factor for companies operating these large ships, and the arrival of the Umm Salal proves the terminals ability to handle vessels of this size with ease.

Located on the east coast of the UAE emirate of Sharjah, KCT boasts 1,900 meters of quay, 20 world-class gantry cranes, and water depths allowing even the largest vessels to enter and operate at the terminal. The convenient location outside the Strait of Hormuz and efficient road links to the industrial areas throughout the UAE makes KCT the prime gateway for numerous shipping lines, as well as importers and exporters.

KCT continues to be the world's fastest-operating container terminal whether dealing with smaller ships, or the leviathans of 13,000 teu or more - which can be accommodated without challenges, and handled promptly and productively in a location which is optimally located to serve the Gulf area and the Indian Ocean.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.