China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), in what is believed to be an industry first, has ordered a pair of air-assisted VLCCs at China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC).

Each of the two 307,000-dwt ships will have technology designed to cut fuel consumption by harnessing the power of the wind and air.

TradeWinds understands that one ship will be equipped with a wind propulsion system, while the other will be fitted with an air lubrication system.