The world's first Afra - max product tanker boosted by sails is officially named

Sail propulsion is an ancient ship propulsion technology. In recent years, with the global demand for environmental protection and energy conservation in shipping, wind energy has regained its vitality as a renewable energy source and has become a new direction for ship propulsion research in the industry with its high cost-effectiveness.

The "BRANDSHATCH" ship takes the transformation of traditional wind energy into intelligent modern propulsion as its core technological subversion point. It is equipped with three hard wing-shaped sails with a height of more than 40 meters. During navigation, it can rely on the digital sail control system to realize real-time intelligent dynamic adjustment of the sail angle according to meteorological data, and realize lifting, opening, closing and rotation through a mechanical hydraulic transmission system, providing additional thrust for the ship, thereby significantly reducing the fuel consumption of the main engine, reducing carbon emissions while effectively improving the ship's operating efficiency.

According to the design indicators, under ideal sea conditions with a wind speed of 20 knots, the system can save an average of 14.5 tons of fuel per day and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45 tons. Under normal sea conditions, it can save an average of about 12% of fuel consumption per year and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 5,000 tons per year, with significant energy-saving effects.

Judging from the actual data of the trial voyage, the energy-saving indicators of the "BRANDSHATCH" are close to ideal sea conditions. This innovation not only achieves a breakthrough environmental benefit of reducing carbon emissions by thousands of tons per ship per year, but also promotes the shipping industry to shift from fossil energy fuel substitution to natural green energy structure innovation.

According to Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company, during the construction process, the biggest challenge in the construction of the BRANDSHATCH was the installation and commissioning of its sail booster system, which was different from the traditional Aframax product tanker. In response, the project team adopted a breakthrough "three-in-one base structure" design, which enables the hull deck to bear and disperse pressure more efficiently and improve the stability of the sail system base.

"During the process, we set up five special research groups, developed three special toolings, optimized four key processes, and significantly improved construction efficiency," said a relevant person in charge of Waigaoqiao Shipyard.

It is reported that it took only 42 days for the "BRANDSHATCH" to go from launching to sea trial, which is only 5 days more than the traditional Aframax tanker without sails. In addition, it took only 13 days from the mechanical completion of the sail system to the dock commissioning of the sail system, which fully demonstrated the company's efficient organizational capabilities and technical strength in responding to new products and new technologies.

With a complete construction system and superb technology, Waigaoqiao Shipyard continues to lead the field of Aframax product tanker construction. As of June 11, 2025, the company has delivered (including naming) 10 Aframax product tankers this year, an average of one tanker delivered every 16 days. The efficient and continuous construction speed demonstrates Waigaoqiao Shipyard's unique factory rhythm.

The efficient construction and naming of the "BRANDSHATCH" is a microcosm of Waigaoqiao Shipyard's long-term promotion of the "green shipbuilding, building green ships" strategy. In recent years, the company has continued to promote the reserve of new energy technologies such as LNG dual fuel, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and wind energy, and has successively launched a series of ship products that meet the requirements of the latest maritime environmental protection regulations, and has achieved remarkable results.

For example, since the delivery of the world's first LNG dual-fuel Capesize bulk carrier in 2022, the company has delivered a total of 15 dual-fuel powered ships so far. At the same time, the 10,400TEU methanol dual-fuel large container ship independently developed and designed by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has obtained the Lloyd's Register AIP certification, and the independently developed 300,000-ton ammonia dual-fuel VLCC has obtained the first domestic ship network security AIP certification.

It is reported that the "BRANDSHATCH" is scheduled to be put into the European route after delivery and operation on June 16. By then, it will carry the green dream of Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and bring clean, efficient and green new momentum to the world oil transportation market.