10:58 am - February 15, 2026
**Abu Dhabi**: The Abu Dhabi Ports Group launches its first liquefied natural gas-powered multi-purpose vessel, ‘Al Samha UGR’, designed for diverse cargo. This marks a key milestone in sustainable shipping and aligns with the UAE’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group has announced a significant advancement in maritime logistics with the introduction of its first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered multi-purpose vessel, “Al Samha UGR.” This vessel is designed to handle a diverse range of cargo, including cars, trucks, and heavy equipment, and marks a key milestone in the operations of Naotum Maritime, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
The launch of “Al Samha UGR” is part of the new joint venture named “United Global for Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo,” which has been established in collaboration with Erkaport, a prominent Turkish company specialising in roll-on/roll-off cargo shipping. The vessel features 12 decks with a total area of 59,331 square metres and a capacity that exceeds 7,000 vehicles, making it one of the most significant assets in its category.
The decision to utilise LNG for powering this vessel reflects a strategic commitment to addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional shipping fuels. LNG-powered vessels are recognised for their potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, enhance operational efficiency, and lower costs through improved fuel economy. The cleaner nature of LNG also contributes positively to air quality, addressing various environmental challenges.
This initiative is in alignment with the United Arab Emirates’ broader decarbonisation objectives, particularly the target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Naotum Maritime’s plans include the ambitious goal of transitioning its entire fleet to alternative fuels in pursuit of these environmental targets.
Captain Ammar Mubarak Al-Shayba, CEO of the maritime and shipping sector at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, expressed the importance of this development, stating that the addition of “Al Samha UGR” to the fleet is a pivotal move towards providing sustainable shipping solutions within the joint venture “United Global for Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo.” He emphasised the commitment to leveraging clean fuel technology, which not only reduces environmental impact but also ensures compliance with international regulations while adding value for customers. Al-Shayba highlighted the operation of this vessel as a demonstration of the group’s intention to drive innovation and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable maritime industry.
The “Al Samha UGR” will join the current fleet managed under the United Global for Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo joint venture, which focuses on offering roll-on/roll-off shipping services across key regions, including the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean. The venture aims to enhance logistics capabilities for transporting vehicles and heavy cargo sustainably, fostering connections between global shipping lines.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.portnews.ru/news/374965/ – This URL provides information on Noatum Maritime’s receipt of the first LNG-powered vessel, UGR Al Samha, which aligns with Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s sustainable shipping initiatives and operational expansion. It also details the vessel’s capabilities and its role in the United Global Ro-Ro joint venture.
- https://www.noatummaritime.com/news-media/noatum-maritime-takes-delivery-of-first-lng-powered-vessel-for-united-global-ro-ro-joint-venture.html – This URL corroborates the delivery and specifications of the UGR Al Samha, a vessel that supports Noatum Maritime’s Ro-Ro expansion strategy. It also highlights the environmental benefits of using LNG in maritime operations.
- https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/ad-ports-noatum-maritime-receives-first-lng-powered-ro-ro-vessel-to-expand-global-fleet – This article supports the introduction of the UGR Al Samha as part of Noatum Maritime’s strategy to expand its Ro-Ro capabilities globally, emphasizing the vessel’s features and its contribution to sustainable maritime practices.
- https://www.adports.ae/en/media/news/press-releases – Although not directly mentioned, this URL could provide press releases from AD Ports Group related to their maritime initiatives, which might include information on the UGR Al Samha and sustainable shipping practices.
- https://www.admaopco.ae/en/about-adrpeco/enviro-sustainability – This URL, while not specifically about the UGR Al Samha, could relate to broader UAE strategies for environmental sustainability, which align with the goals of reducing emissions through the use of LNG in shipping.
- https://www.erikport.com/en/about-us – This URL provides background information on Erkport, the Turkish company partnering with Noatum Maritime in the United Global Ro-Ro joint venture. It highlights Erkport’s specialization in Ro-Ro transportation and cargo handling.
- https://www.aletihad.ae/news/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A/4561640/-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9–%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent maritime developments but lacks specific dates, making it difficult to determine its exact age. There is no clear indication of outdated content, but it does not mention current events or recent changes that could pinpoint its freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Captain Ammar Mubarak Al-Shayba is quoted, but without an online source to verify the quote’s origin, it remains unclear if this is the first use or a repetition. The narrative does not provide a date or source for the quote.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Aletihad, a UAE-based publication. While this may be a reliable source locally, it is not globally well-known, which reduces the overall reliability score compared to internationally recognized news outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about introducing an LNG-powered vessel align with global trends towards more environmental maritime solutions. The alignment with UAE’s decarbonisation goals and the partnership with Erkaport are plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears plausible due to its alignment with global maritime trends and UAE’s environmental objectives. However, the lack of specific dates and the relatively unknown source internationally leaves some uncertainty about its freshness and reliability.
