Dealfeng, a Chinese provider of wind-assisted propulsion systems, on Tuesday (20 May) said it has assigned a cooperation agreement with Singapore-based shipowner Hung Ze Shipping.

The partnership will equip a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng® Rotor Sails. 

Each vessel will feature a 5m x 24m Dealfeng Rotor Sail installed on its forecastle deck. Collaborating with maritime software leader NAPA, the project will utilise route optimisation systems to maximise the efficiency of wind-assisted voyages, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reduction while improving overall energy performance.

“The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery with the rotor sail system in the fourth quarter of 2025. Preliminary calculations indicate that the technology will achieve approximately 8% fuel savings on the vessel’s trading routes,” the company said in a social media post. 

The project marked Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Dealfeng, a clean energy technology company specialising in the R&D, manufacturing, and EPC services of shipborne energy-saving systems, has long focused on developing Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). Its core product, the Rotor Sail, harnesses wind energy via the Magnus effect to provide auxiliary propulsion for vessels. 

Tailored to different ship types, the system offers fuel and carbon emission reductions of 5%–25%, with even greater efficiency under favorable wind conditions. Dealfeng’s Rotor Sail technology has obtained certifications from multiple classification societies and has been successfully deployed across numerous vessels, accumulating years of operational experience that validate its safety, reliability, and effectiveness.

Hung Ze operates a diverse fleet ranging from 5,000 DWT vessels to MR product tankers. 

Photo credit: Dealfeng
Published: 22 May, 2025

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe. 

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil. 

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.

Related: Höegh Autoliners names LNG-powered RoRo ship “Höegh Sunlight” in China|
Related: Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 22 May, 2025

The Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025, organised by Shine Consultant, was successfully held in Shanghai on 16 May. 

The summit revolved around the theme Diversified Innovation for Sustainable Green Transformation, gathering experts, scholars and business executives from the shipping, shipbuilding, and green technology sectors to discuss trends and practical approaches in green transformation, technological innovation, and international cooperation within the shipping industry.

Session I: Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Toward Zero Carbon Goals

The summit was chaired by Professor Liu Xiangwei from Shanghai Maritime University. Sun Haihua, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission, Executive Deputy Director and Secretary-General of the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development Promotion Association, and Yan Wei, Vice President of Shanghai Maritime University, delivered opening remarks, emphasising the shipping industry’s crucial role in achieving global zero-carbon goals.

Sun Haihua pointed out that green ships have become an inevitable trend in the global shipping industry. As the world’s largest ship-owning and shipbuilding nation, China is significantly impacted by this development. 

As a cross-industry and cross-regional comprehensive association, the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development Promotion Association will build more platforms to facilitate in-depth cooperation among shipbuilders, shipping companies, research institutions, and other stakeholders. It will also enhance collaborative innovation across industry, academia, research, and application sectors to jointly address the technical challenges of green ships.

Yan Wei pointed out that the IMO’s net-zero emissions goal aligns with China’s dual-carbon strategy, providing a clear roadmap for the global shipping industry’s low-carbon transition. The core of green shipping development lies in technical talent cultivation.

Shanghai Maritime University has introduced new courses in renewable energy, advanced materials, green ship technology, and dual-fuel engine systems. The university has also achieved breakthroughs in multiple green technology standards, including shipboard zero-carbon power technologies, ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline for translating technological innovations into practical applications.

Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO of the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, presented on the post-MEPC 83 path to zero emissions, analysing the impact of the latest IMO policies on the shipping industry. Lu Yanhui, Deputy General Manager of COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., shared insights on the practical experiences and future plans of shipping companies in their green transition.

Wu Jianyi, Technical Director and General Manager of the Marine Technology & Innovation Center at China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. (CMES), discussed the green transformation and development of the shipping industry from a ship technology perspective.

Karim Fahssis, Head of Decarbonisation for China at Maersk, detailed Maersk’s decarbonisation initiatives. Vivi Wong, Head of Digital Products of MSC Greater China of MSC, showcased the practical application of digital solutions in the shipping industry. Huang Yiming, Assistant Director of the Design Institute at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., highlighted advancements in green and digital ship design and manufacturing.

A panel discussion on Zero-Carbon Transition in the Global Shipping Industry – Synergizing International Cooperation and Technological Innovation was moderated by Wee Meng TAN, Chief Projects Officer at the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), with panelists including Keiichiro Nakanishi, Managing Executive Officer Responsible for East Asia Region at Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Wu Jianyi, Technical Director and General Manager of the Marine Technology & Innovation Center at China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. (CMES), John Kollander, General Manager of Stena RoRo Asia & Owners Representative China at Stena RoRo and Florent D’AZEVEDO, Head of Strategic BD at CMA CGM China.

Session II: Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum

Li Zhengjian, Chief Expert and Senior Engineer at the China Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, emphasized the shipbuilding industry’s pivotal role in ecological civilization development. Li Zhonggang, Vice President at China Ship Design and Research Center Co., Ltd, presented the latest advancements in green and low-carbon ship technologies.

Bai Junli, Deputy Director of Innovation & Development Center at Wuchang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd., introduced the design of wind-assisted methanol dual-fuel cargo ships. Thibaut Raeis, Business & Technical Solutions Director of GTT China, explored the technological advantages and application prospects of GTT technology in promoting sustainable shipping.

Session III: Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum

Wee Meng TAN, Chief Projects Officer at the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), shared insights on From Pilots to Progress: Accelerating Maritime Decarbonisation through Real-World Trials. Zhang Qingsheng, President Assistant of Fujian Guohang Ocean Shipping (Group) Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Shanghai Fujian Guohang Ocean Shipping Management Co., Ltd., discussed technological applications for low-carbon and efficient ship management.

Xu Yingkun, Key Account Manager at ACT China, analyzed the Navigating EU Emission Trading and Maritime Transition: Strategies for Compliance in the Asia-Pacific region. Zhu Feng, Head of the Ballast Water Convention Research Office at Hebei Maritime Safety Administration introduced the Latest Developments in Ship Ballast Water and Biofouling Management, highlighting their technical implications for maritime environmental governance. 

A panel discussion on green shipping opportunities, challenges, and ecosystem cooperation in the Asia-Pacific was moderated by Zhao Cuiyun, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Construction of the Shipping Center and Director of the Green Shipping Research Office at the Shanghai International Shipping Institute.

The panelists included Yang Lixin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Association, Gou Yingdi, Director of Sustainable Development and General Manager of Technology Development (Innovation) Center at Seacon Shipping Group, Yuan Chao, General Manager of Strategy and Investment at CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company Limited and Pan Jinfeng, General Manager of Digital Intelligence Promotion Department at COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore Co. Ltd.

According to organiser Shine Consultant, the Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 has established a platform for in-depth knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration, underscoring the critical role of green technologies in enabling sustainable maritime development. 

The summit concluded with unanimous consensus on strengthening multilateral partnerships to accelerate the industry’s green transition, thereby supporting the achievement of global decarbonisation targets set by the IMO and Paris Agreement.

The event was hosted by the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization, and co-organised by Shanghai Maritime University, the Shanghai Institute of Navigation, Jiangsu Association of Shipbuilding Industry, Shanghai Association of Shipbuilding Industry, the Jiangsu Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and supported by the Shanghai Port Association, the Hubei Association of Shipbuilding Industry and the Shanghai International Shipping Institute. 

Photo credit: Shine Consultant
Published: 22 May, 2025