China will deliver the world’s first sail-assisted Aframax tanker to a company from the UK. This marks a key breakthrough for China’s shipping industry in providing green and low-carbon solutions. Wu Bin has more.
“Brands Hatch”, a once-thriving Formula 1 track, has become the name of the world’s first sail-assisted Aframax tanker.
The tanker, built by a Chinese company in Shanghai, is a popular type with oil companies, and will be delivered to the UK’s Union Maritime.
Unlike a traditional Aframax tanker, “Brands Hatch” is equipped with three 40-meter long fiberglass sails, that enable the use of wind power on the sea to save energy.
HUANG YIMING Assistant Dean, Design and Research Institute, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding “With the use of sails, 14.5 tons of fuel can be saved per day under ideal sea conditions with wind speed of 20 knots , which is equivalent to a fuel consumption saving about 12% – 15%.”
The ship marks a major breakthrough in offering green solutions to modern oil tankers.
The most challenging part is to install and debug the intelligent-sail assisted system and making sure the three large sails are stable on the tanker.
HUANG YIMING Assistant Dean, Design and Research Institute, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding “It needs a very high-level of precision when raising and lowering the sails. We use many methods, including laser positioning, high precision control to ensure the success of the project.”
The construction has won the praise of the ship’s owner, Union Maritime, a company established in 2006 and aimed at green transition of ships.
It is now building over 50 new ships, mostly in China.
LAURENT CADJI Chief Executive, Union Maritime “China has established itself as a world leader in ship building and has done a great job in doing that. The events that are going on around the world will make the situation more complex for owners to decide, but ultimately, China’s leadership position is one that is built on quality and innovative creativity, and we think these qualities are here to stay and China has established itself based on maritime quality and it’ll continue to do a great job and we’ll support that.”
With a length of almost 250 meters and a width of 44 meters, the oil tanker is able to carry 800, 000 barrels of crude oil.
It’s expected to be used on the company’s European routes after official delivery on June 16th.
Source: CGTN
