Bureau Veritas Celebrates the Naming of Union Maritime's Wind-Assisted Aframax Product Tanker ALBERT PARK

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) was delighted to celebrate the naming of ALBERT PARK, a 114,000 DWT wind-assisted Aframax product tanker owned by Union Maritime. The vessel, classed by BV and built by Yangzhou COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry for Union Maritime, was officially named in September.

As the first wind-assisted Aframax product tanker built by Yangzhou COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry, the vessel incorporates three rigid aerofoil sails, WindWings®, designed by UK-based BAR Technologies, representing one of the most advanced applications of wind propulsion technology in the tanker sector. The project demonstrates the growing role of alternative propulsion solutions in supporting the maritime industry's decarbonization ambitions while maintaining operational efficiency.

Each WindWings® sail measures 37.5 meters in height with a span of 19.7 meters, providing a combined sail area of 738 square meters. The system harnesses wind energy to generate additional forward thrust, reducing the load on the vessel's main engine and lowering fuel consumption. Featuring a three-element aerofoil design comprising a main wing and adjustable flaps, the sails automatically optimize their angle of attack in response to changing wind conditions, maximizing performance across a wide range of operating environments.

Performance assessments indicate that ALBERT PARK can achieve fuel savings of up to 4.5 tons per day, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 14.1 tons of CO₂ emissions per day under favorable conditions.

The WindWings® technology installed onboard ALBERT PARK has received both Approval in Principle (AiP) and Design Type Approval from BV. Having already demonstrated safe and reliable operation across multiple vessels for more than a year, the technology has proven its maturity and readiness for wider industry adoption.

In recognition of the vessel's innovative wind propulsion capabilities, BV has awarded ALBERT PARK the WIND PROPULSION-1 class notation, confirming compliance with BV's requirements for the safe integration and operation of wind propulsion systems.

Beyond its propulsion innovation, ALBERT PARK has also been awarded a suite of BV class notations, including CLEANSHIP, GREEN PASSPORT, EGCS-SCRUBBER, ERS-S, and BWT. These notations recognize the vessel's advanced environmental performance across areas including pollution prevention, emissions control, ballast water treatment, waste management and structural monitoring, supporting compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

The vessel is based on a BV-approved tanker design that combines operational efficiency with advanced environmental performance, reflecting Union Maritime’s continued investment in fleet development and the integration of innovative technologies across its fleet. The project draws upon Bureau Veritas' extensive experience in tanker classification, alternative propulsion technologies and regulatory compliance, while also showcasing Yangzhou COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry's capabilities in large tanker construction and the integration of innovative energy-saving technologies.

Through close collaboration with Union Maritime and the shipyard throughout the design and construction phases, Bureau Veritas provided classification expertise, technical guidance and verification services to support the safe and successful implementation of the wind propulsion system.

Bhuvnesh Dogra, Chief Technical Officer at Union Maritime, said: The naming of ALBERT PARK represents an important step in the development of our fleet. The integration of WindWings® technology reflects our focus on exploring practical solutions that can improve vessel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. It was a pleasure to attend the naming ceremony and see this project come to fruition through the collaboration between Union Maritime, Bureau Veritas and Yangzhou COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry.