- United European Car Carriers (UECC) has expanded its fleet with the eco-friendly dual-fuel LNG PCTC Blue Heritage, strengthening its North-South route with increased sailing frequency and capacity.
- A new port of call in Yarimca, Turkey, has been added to meet growing demand, bringing the total number of vessels on the route to seven and improving service regularity across 12 European ports.
- The move supports UECC’s broader strategy to enhance environmental performance, cut emissions, and align with EU maritime sustainability regulations.
United European Car Carriers (UECC) is strengthening its North-South trading network by deploying the dual-fuel LNG-powered Blue Heritage, a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) that reflects the company’s commitment to greener logistics. With this addition, UECC increases its operating vessels on this major European route to seven, enabling a market-leading sailing frequency of 4.5 days between Turkey and Northern Europe.
Per Christian Mørk, COO of UECC, highlighted the impact of this move:
“We are expanding our fleet with the operation of an additional eco-friendly Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) that will enhance cargo-carrying capacity and flexibility for our clients on this major route, while further reducing the carbon footprint of their logistics.”
Boosting Low-Carbon Logistics
The 200-meter-long Blue Heritage has a capacity of 7,000 CEUs across 12 decks, including four hoistable decks suitable for High & Heavy (H&H) cargo. Sistership to the Blue Aspire, it is fitted with dual-fuel LNG engines that can also operate on liquefied biomethane (LBM), a renewable alternative fuel offering significant emissions reductions.
This capability supports UECC’s Sail for Change initiative, which has received backing from automotive giants like Toyota, Ford, and JLR. The program enabled a 107,000-tonne reduction in well-to-wake CO₂ emissions last year, a 70% increase over 2023.
Improved Service and Extended Port Network
The Blue Heritage will operate along a Mediterranean to Northern Europe route, with Yarimca in Turkey added as a regular port of call alongside Efesan and Autoport. Two rotating service loops now cover 12 ports across Europe. Three vessels will rotate through Flushing, Zeebrugge, Cuxhaven, Vigo, Yarimca, Efesan, Autoport, and back to Flushing. Another four vessels will operate via Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Zeebrugge, Portbury, Vigo, Sagunto, Livorno, Piraeus, Autoport, and return to Cuxhaven.
Mørk explained the strategic importance of the expansion:
“Our North-South service is the largest loop we operate and as such absorbs also the largest number of vessels. By adding capacity, this enables us to add ports in co-operation with our customers to tailor-make services.”
He added:
“The flexible deck configurations of the Blue Heritage and Blue Aspire also provide versatility in handling a wide range of cargoes – from vehicles to rolling H&H and breakbulk equipment – in line with the diverse needs of customers.”
Aligning with Green Regulations and Customer Goals
As UECC expands its fleet, it remains committed to sustainability through the adoption of low-carbon fuels and enhanced operational efficiency. The company has positioned itself ahead of compliance requirements, maintaining a surplus in FuelEU Maritime, avoiding fuel surcharges for customers, and achieving a C-rating or above under the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
Moreover, UECC’s environmental advancements have reduced its exposure to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), demonstrating its leadership in sustainable shipping.
Mørk concluded:
“Through proactive investments in fleet development and alternative fuels, UECC is steadily minimising its carbon footprint towards the goal of net-zero by 2040 and thereby reducing Scope 3 emissions for our customers in alignment with their sustainability goals.”
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Source: UECC
