China launches version 2.0 of “Zhoushan ship type” bunkering vessel 

The first bunkering vessel of the “Zhoushan Ship Type” version 2.0 was launched and set sail for its maiden voyage at the Zhoushan Hetai Shipyard on 28 December, according to Zhoushan’s Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone on Friday (29 December).

Compared to the 1.0 version, Dong Fang Zhao Yang underwent six major upgrades including being equipped with twin engines, twin propellers and twin rudders to improve the ship’s manoeuvrability and rotation, and significantly improves the ship’s berthing capability. 

The ship is also capable of loading about 40 metric tonnes of lube oil so it can also supply lube oil as well as bunker fuel to other ships, upgrading it to a “one ship with multiple functions”. The safety of bunkering operations during high sea conditions has also been improved with its equipped anchor winch. 

Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales, Zhoushan Communications Investment Group, Orient Shipmate Maritime Service and other parties participated in the maiden voyage ceremony.

“The maiden voyage of Dong Fang Zhao Yang, the first oil supply ship of version 2.0 of ‘Zhoushan Ship Type’, is an important part of Zhoushan Orient International Maritime Service Co, Ltd’s bunker fuel supply platform and promotes the transformation of Zhoushan’s marine fuel oil supply ships,” Zhoushan’s Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone said. 

The 4,300-tonne vessel comes following a memorandum of cooperation signed between Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co., Ltd. and Zhoushan Communications Investment Group in Zhoushan in December 2021. The two parties agreed to jointly carry out comprehensive supply of maritime services, to construct the “Zhoushan Ship Type” 2.0 version of bunkering ships, and promote “one ship with multiple functions”.

According to memorandum, Zhoushan Orient International Maritime Service carried out a ship optimisation design based on the “Zhoushan Ship Type” to improve the bunker supply to Zhoushan outer anchorage, operational capabilities and improve the certainty of the Zhoushan bunker fuel market. 

The China Classification Society Wuhan Rules & Research Institute completed research on improving the ship’s wind and wave resistance levels, and has organised ship design seminars and technical briefings for the exchange of expert opinions. The ship design plan is continuously optimised to form the final plan.

Disclaimer: The above article published by Manifold Times was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. While considerable efforts have been taken to verify its accuracy through a professional translator and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty is made regarding the accuracy, completeness and reliability of any information.

Photo credit: Zhoushan’s Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone
Published: 5 January, 2024