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
