Spanish owner Mureloil orders hybrid tanker

Spanish shipowner Mureloil has commissioned a 7,999-dwt diesel-electric product tanker, currently under construction at Astilleros Murueta shipyard near Bilbao. The vessel will join three other small tankers: Bahia Uno (3,700-dwt, built 2004), Bahia Tres (9,500-dwt, built 2007) and Blue Vega (4,500-dwt, built 2013).

Bahia Uno was also constructed at Astilleros Murueta shipyard.

The tanker will feature a 4,200-kWh Aries+ battery supplied by AYK Energy, enabling it to operate on diesel, battery power or a combination of both, and perform zero-emissions operations during port manoeuvres.

AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger noted the maritime industry is witnessing a growing interest in electric and hybrid vessels, driven by regulatory pressures such as the upcoming FuelEU and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, set to take effect in 2025.

He highlighted the technology now exists to support fully electric vessels, citing AYK’s recent launch of the Pisces battery, which offers sufficient energy density for larger vessels such as ferries and offshore support vessels.

Mr Kruger also mentioned AYK’s new 5,000-m² factory in Zhuhai, China is enhancing production efficiency, with sales projected to reach 100 MWh in 2024. The company is also considering establishing additional manufacturing facilities in Europe and America to meet increasing demand.