June 27, 2025 – China’s Shipbuilding Breakthrough: Wind-Assisted Tanker Sets New Eco-Standards with Advanced Coatings
Shanghai – The global maritime industry has reached a sustainability milestone with the delivery of the “Brands Hatch,” the world’s first Aframax tanker equipped with wind-assisted propulsion and cutting-edge coating solutions. Built by China’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), this revolutionary vessel features a complete coating system supplied by AkzoNobel’s International Paint.
Innovative Coating System Reduces Environmental Impact
The 113,000 DWT tanker’s coating application represents a technological leap, utilizing approximately 350,000 liters of high-performance marine coatings. The underwater hull employs Intercept®8500 LPP – a fouling control coating that combines advanced polymer technology with hydrodynamic efficiency. Industry analysts estimate this coating solution alone contributes to 15% of the vessel’s total 5,000-ton annual carbon reduction target when combined with its wind propulsion system.
“Unlike conventional antifouling products, this coating creates an ultra-smooth surface that actively prevents marine growth while reducing frictional resistance,” explained Dr. Emma Liang, AsiaMB’s marine coatings specialist. “For an Aframax tanker operating typical trade routes, this translates to significant fuel savings over the vessel’s lifecycle.”
Proven Protection for Critical Areas
The cargo tank interior features Interline®704, a battle-tested epoxy coating with two decades of documented performance in resisting crude oil corrosion. External surfaces benefit from Intergard®7600 primer, specifically formulated to withstand harsh marine environments while maintaining color stability.
“This project demonstrates how coating technology can work synergistically with other green ship technologies,” said Michael Zhang, AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings Director for Asia. “Our solutions not only protect the asset but actively contribute to its environmental performance.”
Setting New Benchmarks
The “Brands Hatch” establishes several industry firsts:
• First wind-assisted Aframax tanker compliant with IMO 2030 emissions targets
• Largest vessel to date using Intercept®8500 LPP coating system
• First Chinese-built tanker to combine multiple green technologies in one platform
With IMO’s strengthened environmental regulations taking effect this year, industry observers predict rapid adoption of such integrated solutions. “This vessel proves that existing ship designs can achieve dramatic emissions reductions through smart technology pairing,” noted maritime analyst Robert Chen. “We’re seeing particularly strong interest from Asian operators facing new carbon pricing mechanisms.”
AkzoNobel confirms it’s currently working on next-generation coatings for twelve additional wind-assisted vessels under construction at Chinese shipyards, signaling growing momentum for sustainable shipping solutions in the region.
AsiaMB Insight: The successful delivery underscores China’s emerging leadership in green shipbuilding technologies. As coating formulators increasingly collaborate with naval architects at the design phase, such holistic approaches may soon become standard for newbuilds worldwide.