China will deliver the world's first sail-assisted Aframax tanker to a company from the UK, marking a key breakthrough for the country's shipbuilding industry in providing green and low-carbon solutions to modern oil tankers.
The tanker, built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, was named "Brands Hatch" Wednesday, a name inspired by a technically challenging racing circuit in Britain.
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.
"With the use of sails, this ship can save 14.5 tons of fuel per day under ideal sea conditions with an average wind speed of 20 knots, which is equivalent to saving about 12 to 15 percent of fuel consumption compared with a conventional ship," said Huang Yiming, assistant dean of the Design and Research Institute, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.
The most challenging part is to install and debug the intelligent-sail assisted system and to make sure the three large sails are stable on the tanker.
"It requires a very high level of precision, especially machining accuracy and installation accuracy, when raising and lowering the sails. We use many methods, including laser positioning, high precision control and quality control to ensure its success," Huang said.
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 has been working with Chinese shipbuilders for their quality and creativity.
"China has established itself as a world leader in shipbuilding and has done a great job in doing that. We believe that the events that are going on in 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," said Laurent Cadji, chief executive officer of Union Maritime.
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 16.
China to deliver world's first sail-assisted Aframax tanker
China to deliver world's first sail-assisted Aframax tanker
China and Germany, as major countries, should shoulder their responsibilities, uphold mutual respect, transcend differences in social systems, historical backgrounds and cultures, and build a more mature model of positive interaction and a more stable bilateral policy framework, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday in Beijing.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul that it is hoped that Germany will view China's development as an opportunity for deeper cooperation and a driving force for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and work together to promote the steady and healthy development of the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership.
Noting that this is the first visit to China by a German foreign minister since the formation of Germany's new government -- though the visit has encountered twists and turns -- Wang quoted a Chinese saying: "Good things come to those who wait." He emphasized that "the timing is not the key; what truly matters is the purpose. The visit should be for cooperation, not confrontation; for enhancing mutual understanding and trust, not widening differences."
Wang further urged Germany to encourage the EU to return to a rational and pragmatic China policy, adhere to the correct direction of mutually beneficial cooperation, resolve differences through dialogue, and avoid politicizing economic issues, instrumentalizing trade issues, or securitizing normal cooperation.
Wang emphasized that the one-China principle serves as an important political foundation for China-Germany relations, and there is no room for ambiguity. He further noted that unlike Germany, Japan has yet to conduct a thorough reflection on its history of aggression in the eight decades since the end of WWII.
Wadephul said that in the face of a turbulent global landscape, Germany and China need to shoulder special responsibilities, strengthen communication and coordination, and become reliable and predictable partners for each other.
He said that Germany remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, and this position is unwavering.
German enterprises in China have full confidence in the Chinese market and are willing to further deepen their presence in the country, Wadephul said, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in seeking mutual benefit and win-win outcomes through dialogue and stands ready to play a constructive role in this regard.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Wadephul elaborated on Germany's position and expressed hope that China would leverage its influence to help bring about an early end to the crisis.
Wang reaffirmed China's consistent stance, emphasizing that all parties should cherish the current momentum for a political settlement, work towards the same goal, and ultimately reach a fair, durable and binding peace agreement through dialogue and negotiations.
China supports all efforts conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, Wang added.
Chinese FM calls on China, Germany to shoulder responsibilities as major countries for more stable bilateral policy framework
