Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable shipping by classifying a series of oil and chemical tankers for Union Maritime. These vessels are methanol-ready and equipped with Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (NPRS™) wind propulsion systems.
The first two tankers in the series — Buran and Ostro — were delivered in February and April 2025, respectively, after construction at the Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding yard. Two more 18,500 DWT tankers are currently under construction at the same yard, with an additional two being built at Wuhu Shipyard Co., Ltd. All six vessels will be equipped with NPRS™, with deliveries scheduled for 2025.
This series marks the beginning of a broader newbuilding program for Union Maritime under BV class. More than 25 additional tankers are planned for delivery between 2026 and 2028, including a significant series at Wuhu Shipyard, along with further orders at other major Chinese shipyards. These new vessels will either be delivered with wind propulsion systems installed or prepared for future integration of such systems from providers like Norsepower.
By implementing wind propulsion and methanol-ready configurations, Union Maritime aims to enhance energy efficiency and support long-term emission reductions across its growing fleet.
BV is facilitating the integration of these systems through comprehensive assessments to ensure compliance with relevant rules and notations. This includes its Rules for Wind Propulsion Systems (NR 206), the Wind Propulsion 1 and Wind Propulsion 2 notations for vessels equipped with such systems, and the METHANOLFUEL-PREPARED notation. BV has provided extensive support throughout the project, including efficient and thorough reviews of the updated designs to ensure compliance with class requirements and delivery schedules.
