East-Loyalty Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a noteworthy development, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) transporting North Sea Forties crude has set sail towards Asia-Pacific after a month spent floating off the coast of the UK. The 2 million barrel capacity tanker, named Sara, lifted its cargo from Hound Point, Scotland, on June 19 and has now indicated its destination as 'Rizhao for orders,' with an expected arrival date in China on September 10. The Sara was initially chartered by Shell for the journey east on June 20. However, after signaling for Chinese orders, it altered its path, making its way to England's southern coast, where it has been stationed offshore Falmouth, continuously waiting for new orders. Remarkably, the Sara marks the first VLCC to depart the North Sea for the Asia-Pacific region this July, despite the presence of other similarly sized vessels that have been tentatively arranged for the same route. The ongoing situation highlights the continued high levels of crude currently in floating storage, emphasizing the challenges in the oil market. For further details, visit [Hellenic Shipping News](http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vlcc-sails-east-but-north-sea-crude-is-still-floating/).

In a significant advancement for eco-friendly shipping, Maersk Tankers took delivery of the 'Maersk Sara' in June 2011, marking the first of four new supertankers boasting a deadweight tonnage of 322,000 dwt. Constructed by the renowned South Korean shipbuilder STX, the 'Maersk Sara' is outfitted with the latest Waste Heat Recovery System ever installed on a supertanker, exemplifying a strong commitment to reducing environmental impacts in maritime operations. This innovative system harnesses energy from engine exhaust, converting it into electricity via a steam turbine. Remarkably, the 'Maersk Sara' operates without the need for diesel generators while at sea, maintaining a cruising speed of 13 knots and achieving energy savings of 50-65%. As the first vessel in a series of sister ships, all from STX and equipped with similar Waste Heat Recovery technology, the remaining three supertankers are set to be delivered within the next 12 months. Upon completion of this series, Maersk Tankers will enhance its fleet, bringing the total number of supertankers under its management to 20.