Solar Solve Marine, the South Shields-based British manufacturer of SOLASOLV® anti-glare, heat-rejecting roller screens, has supplied 19 Type Approved SOLASAFE® screens for installation at the navigation bridge windows of Bunga Kelana 3, a 12-year-old Aframax crude oil tanker operated by the AET Group.
The installation took place during an unscheduled dry-docking of the vessel following a collision off Singapore’s Changi coast. While the incident caused significant damage to one of the vessel’s cargo tanks, no crew members were injured. The dry-docking period provided the opportunity to install the SOLASAFE® screens across the full navigation bridge window arrangement.
About the Vessel — Bunga Kelana 3
Bunga Kelana 3 is an Aframax class crude oil tanker with a deadweight tonnage of 105,784 DWT. The vessel is part of the well-established Bunga Kelana series operated by AET Group, a leading worldwide petroleum shipping company.
Vessel Specifications
| Detail | Specification |
| Vessel name | Bunga Kelana 3 |
| Vessel type | Aframax crude oil tanker |
| Deadweight tonnage | 105,784 DWT |
| Screens supplied | 19 SOLASAFE® anti-glare roller screens |
| Installation location | Navigation bridge windows |
| Installation occasion | Unscheduled dry-docking following collision |
| Collision location | Off Singapore’s Changi coast |
A Long-Standing Relationship with the Bunga Kelana Fleet
Bunga Kelana 3 is not Solar Solve’s first involvement with the Bunga Kelana series of vessels. The fleet is well known to Solar Solve, with SOLASOLV® roller screens already installed across multiple sister ships in the series.
Sister vessels Bunga Kelana 7, 8, 9, and 10 were all delivered during 2004 with SOLASAFE® screens fitted at all wheelhouse windows during construction by Samsung Heavy Industries at their Geoje Island shipbuilding facility in South Korea. This long-standing relationship with the Bunga Kelana fleet reflects the confidence that AET Group and its shipbuilder partners have in Solar Solve’s products as standard navigation bridge specification.
About AET Group
AET Group is a leading worldwide petroleum shipping company operating one of the most modern and technically advanced tanker fleets in the global shipping industry.
Key facts about AET Group:
- More than 3,000 highly skilled employees operating across the world
- A young and technically advanced fleet of 77 tankers
- Regional management centres in London, Houston, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore
- Specialist operations in moving crude oil and refined products for the world’s major oil companies and trading houses
- A global reputation for delivering the highest standards of service, safety, and environmental responsibility
Julie Lightfoot, Solar Solve Marine’s Managing Director, commented:
“We know that AET is growing rapidly and enjoys a global reputation for delivering the highest standards of service, safety and responsibility. It is fitting that we have supplied our products to many of their vessels as we too make the same claims.”
She added:
“Solar Solve is extremely proud to be involved as a supplier to AET, to ensure the very best protection for personnel who work in the wheelhouse of a vessel and to help reduce its power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Why SOLASAFE® Screens Are Specified on Crude Oil Tankers
Crude oil tankers operate on long ocean voyages across some of the world’s most sun-intense maritime routes. Navigation bridge officers on Aframax tankers face prolonged, continuous exposure to direct sunlight and reflected sea glare during every watch, in conditions that directly increase eye strain, fatigue, and the risk of navigational error.
SOLASAFE® screens are specified on vessels like Bunga Kelana 3 because they deliver measurable, proven performance at the navigation bridge window:
- Up to 93% solar glare rejection, removing the glare that impairs clear visibility of the sea, other vessels, and navigation instruments
- Up to 87% solar heat rejection, maintaining a comfortable and safe working temperature on the bridge
- Up to 99% UV light rejection, protecting crew from prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure during extended sea passages
- Full outward visibility maintained at all times, with no colour distortion through the screen
- Reduced reliance on air conditioning systems, contributing directly to lower power consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
This last point is particularly relevant for AET Group, whose commitment to environmental responsibility is a core part of its operational standards. By reducing solar heat gain on the navigation bridge, SOLASAFE® screens contribute to measurable reductions in the vessel’s cooling energy demand.
You can find out more about Solar Solve’s full range of marine sunscreen solutions on the marine sector page.
About SOLASAFE® — Type Approved Marine Anti-Glare Screens
SOLASAFE® is Solar Solve’s cassette-mounted Type Approved marine sunscreen, part of the wider SOLASOLV® product range. All SOLASAFE® screens are manufactured in the United Kingdom at Solar Solve’s South Shields factory and hold Type Approval from the three leading international marine classification societies.
| Classification Society | Type Approval Status |
| Lloyd’s Register | Type Approved |
| DNV-GL | Type Approved |
| ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) | Type Approved |
This triple Type Approval makes SOLASAFE® the most independently certified marine anti-glare screen available, accepted by the flag states and classification societies of virtually every maritime nation worldwide. You can view the full SOLASAFE® product specification on the SOLASAFE® product page.
Solar Solve Marine has specialised in providing sun and glare protection to the marine and offshore industry for almost 30 years, with SOLASOLV® screens installed at the windows of ships, rigs, and cranes of all types and sizes worldwide. To explore Solar Solve’s offshore product range, visit the offshore sector page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are SOLASAFE® anti-glare roller screens?
SOLASAFE® are Type Approved cassette-mounted marine anti-glare, heat-rejecting roller screens manufactured by Solar Solve Marine in South Shields, UK. They are designed for installation at navigation bridge and wheelhouse windows on commercial vessels of all types and sizes. They reject up to 93% of solar glare, up to 87% of heat, and up to 99% of UV light while maintaining full outward visibility.
Why were SOLASAFE® screens installed on Bunga Kelana 3?
Bunga Kelana 3 underwent an unscheduled dry-docking following a collision off Singapore’s Changi coast. During this period, 19 SOLASAFE® anti-glare screens were installed at the navigation bridge windows to protect crew from sun glare, heat, and UV radiation during the vessel’s crude oil tanker operations.
Which other Bunga Kelana vessels have SOLASOLV® screens installed?
Sister vessels Bunga Kelana 7, 8, 9, and 10 were all delivered in 2004 with SOLASAFE® screens fitted at all wheelhouse windows during construction by Samsung Heavy Industries at their Geoje Island facility in South Korea.
Who is AET Group?
AET Group is a leading worldwide petroleum shipping company with more than 3,000 employees and a fleet of 77 tankers. The company operates from regional centres in London, Houston, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, moving crude oil and refined products for the world’s major oil companies and trading houses.
How do SOLASOLV® screens help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
By rejecting up to 87% of solar heat at the navigation bridge windows, SOLASOLV® screens reduce the solar heat gain entering the bridge environment. This lowers the demand placed on the vessel’s air conditioning and cooling systems, which in turn reduces power consumption and contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions over the vessel’s operational life.
Are SOLASAFE® screens Type Approved for use on crude oil tankers?
Yes. SOLASAFE® screens hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV-GL, and ABS, making them accepted and compliant for use on vessels of all types and flag states worldwide, including crude oil tankers operating under the standards of major international classification societies.
