Both vessels belong to a long series of PCTCs built by Uljanik Shipyard between 2000 and 2007. No purchase price has yet been revealed, but PCTCs are in very high demand at the moment and Grimaldi is likely to have achieved a significant premium for the vessels.

UGR is expanding its fleet to meet the rapidly changing logistics needs of the Gulf countries following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The company has two new-generation 7,000 CEU dual-fuel PCTCs in operation, with one more due for delivery in Q4.

These are mainly deployed on UGR's route connecting China with Khor Fakkan in the UAE, Jeddah, Aqaba, Alexandria and Barcelona. The medium-sized PCTCs, including the newly purchased UGR SAFAGA and UGR AQABA, connect Hambantota in Sri Lanka with Safaga in Egypt via Ennore and Khor Fakkan.

UGR also operates feeder services in the Mediterranean and Red Sea with the RoRo/vehicle carriers JINANAH, ULUSOY 5, LIDER BULUT, SUPER-FAST BALEARES, SDERIA and SAFFET BEY, as well as a feeder link between Jeddah and Aqaba with AL HURREYA 3.

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