Wind-assisted VLCC, New Aden, delivered in China
The New Aden is equipped with two pairs of new generation rigid wing sails (Source: CCS)
China’s first-ever wind-powered VLCC has been named and delivered to owner, China Merchants Energy Shipping, at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. The 307,000dwt New Aden is projected to cut fuel consumption by close to 10% on a typical voyage between the Middle East and Far East.
China Classification Society (CCS) vice president, Fan Qiang, representing CCS at the ceremony, described the New Aden as “one of the most advanced VLCCs ever built in China”.
The tanker has two pairs of rigid wing sails made of low-weight carbon-fibre composite with a total surface area of 1,200m2. An autonomous control system monitors power supply and self-inspects to ensure the hydraulic lifting and electric rotation is optimised to achieve peak performance.
“Together with China Merchants and Dalian Shipbuilding, we have looked at every aspect of design to deliver the best possible result in fuel reduction, sailing performance in wind and waves through optimised hull design, as well as safety and environmental protection,” Fan Qiang commented.
