On April 3, a 114,000 DWT Aframax product tanker built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) for the British Union Maritime Limited (UML) was successfully launched. This is the first sail-assisted oil tanker built by SWS.
The vessel is innovatively equipped with a sail product whose blades are made of fiberglass composite materials and equipped with an intelligent system to automatically adjust the sail angle to maximize the use of existing wind power.
By capturing offshore wind energy to assist propulsion, it can effectively reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. While having outstanding environmental benefits, the use of wind energy and effective fuel savings will also bring considerable economic benefits.
With sufficient preparation, SWS successfully completed the installation of the three sails within 48 hours, saving 96 hours compared to the planned time.
After the tanker launched, it will enter the mooring test stage to make full preparation for the subsequent commissioning of the offshore sail system. The construction of this vessel will accumulate valuable experience for SWS to further develop a series of sailing vessels and help it continue to deepen its presence in the new energy vessel market.