Four cranes and seven cargo holds – meet Abu Dhabi's latest mammoth bulk cargo ship

The 'MV Hafeet' will transfer iron ore from larger vessels

MV Hafeet, which has been registered as the UAE’s largest ever bulk commercial vessel. All photos Courtesy Abu Dhabi Ports

It has four cranes and seven massive cargo holds.

The ship will transfer bulk iron ore from incoming carriers.

The vessel was bought by Safeen last year and it has been in service since 2006.

It has four cranes, seven cargo holds and can handle 101,648 tonnes – meet the MV Hafeet.

The ship, which has diesel engines capable of generating up to 15,200 horsepower, was recently has just been registered, making it the UAE's largest bulk commercial vessel yet.

At 254 metres long and 49 metres wide, the MV Hafeet is the latest addition to the fleet of Safeen,  the marine services arm of Abu Dhabi Ports, and it will enter service this month.

Abu Dhabi Ports said the MV Hafeet will be based at Mussaffah to support Emirates Steel by transferring bulk iron ore from incoming carriers and improve turnaround times for the oceangoing vessels. Footage of the carrier was posted to Abu Dhabi Ports social media page on Thursday.

Built in Romania and in service since 2006, the vessel was bought by Safeen last year.

It was originally in use as a post-panamax bulk carrier, meaning it was designed to pass through the new locks of the Panama Canal.

The vessel has undergone an extensive conversion in the months since purchase, including the installation of cranes and a conveyor system.

"The acquisition and the eventual commissioning of Hafeet marks a significant step for our Safeen team, it greatly enhances our ability to serve our customers," said Capt Adil Banihammad, chief executive at Safeen.

"The vessel is part of a larger expansion strategy by Abu Dhabi Ports aimed at broadening our portfolio of services."

It bears the name of Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi's only mountain, which overlooks the UAE border with Oman.