Recognising the ever increasing demand for more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vessels, leading tanker owner/operator AET has taken delivery of the first of four 'eco-design' Suezmax tankers.

Built by Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea, the first 157,000 dwt vessel was delivered and named 'Eagle San Antonio' at a ceremony last week. The remaining three sister ships will be delivered during the course of this year.

AET has made a significant investment in these new 'eco-design' vessels to maximise fuel efficiency and to minimise harmful emissions. Innovations include hull form optimisation and de-rating of the main engine power for low load optimisation.  The application of energy saving devices include saver fins, a star propeller and rudder bulb which will substantially reduce the amount of fuel used.

In addition, the vessel has obtained Lloyd’s Register’s 'Environmental Protection' notation and a Letter of Compliance for a Green Passport. The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) attained has been verified by Lloyd’s Register that it exceeds IMO’s requirements. As a result, the vessel has also qualified for the 'Green Ship Programme' under Maritime Singapore’s Green Initiative.

Going forward, AET’s fleet renewal programme insists that all new vessels joining the fleet will be significantly more fuel-efficient than those they replace.

Speaking at the naming ceremony, AET President & CEO, Hor Weng Yew said:

“Our partnership with Samsung coupled with an investment in industry-leading technology and innovation has resulted in a new generation of vessels that deliver significant environmental benefits and fuel savings. This is good for the environment, good for our customers and good for our business.

Our customers demand that we offer a flexible service for the transportation of their cargoes. Moving into the Suezmax sector allows us to deliver a more rounded and complete solution to the world’s oil companies”

The new Suezmax tankers are AET’s first owned vessels of this size and represent a significant step in AET’s continuing move to rejuvenate and re-shape its tanker fleet. Other recent innovations include the introduction of two newbuild DP shuttle tankers, two newly converted specialist marine capture vessels, a fleet of the world’s first purpose built lightering support vessels and four newbuild VLCCs to replace older tonnage in 2013.

'Eagle San Antonio' was named and sponsored by Datin Sharifah Salwa Syed Kamaruddin who is the wife of Dato Shamsul Azhar bin Abbas, President  & CEO of Petronas who was guest of honour at the ceremony.