MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

World’s largest tanker, built in China, ready to start maiden voyage

The impressive “Xin Pu Yang” and its 310.000 dead weight tonnage

Claimed to be the most sophisticated large tanker ever designed and built by a Chinese shipyard, the ‘Xin Pu Yang' is to start its maiden voyage from Guangzhou to the Middle East later this month, Chinese media reports said.

The 310,000 dwt tanker is believed to be the largest VLCC built for the domestic market thus far. According to Equasis, she is owned by Shanghai-based China Shipping Development Co.

Liu Yijun, an energy strategy specialist at China University of Petroleum, told the China Daily that foreign tankers are shipping more than 80% of China's crude oil imports. China currently imports over 50% of its crude oil needs

Captain Feng Wanyuan told the Chinese press that the pilot-less 333 meters long tanker is equipped with an automatic navigation system that can spare crew members from the navigation bridge and sail on automatic pilot for 24 hours in the worst weather.

She can sail at 16 knots and unload 300.000 tons of oil in 24 hours.

“Xin Buyang is by far the most advanced super-large oil tanker with a high level of automation and reliability in performance, featuring independent technology in design and construction,” Feng said.

In response to the growing threat of Somali pirates attacking oil tankers, the tanker is equipped with high-pressure water cannons to fend off marauding attackers. Feng said the oil tanker will pass through the Gulf of Aden on its maiden voyage to the Middle East.

The tanker has installed an alarm system that will immediately send nautical information on the ships'' location to offshore operators within 35 seconds of an emergency.