Spain’s Mureloil has ordered a hybrid diesel-electric tanker at a domestic shipyard.
Andorran manufacturer AYK Energy said it is supplying a 4,200-KWh battery for the 7,999-dwt product carrier, which will be constructed at Astilleros de Murueta near Bilbao.
No price or delivery date has been given.
Mureloil said it is embracing AYK’s battery technology as part of its commitment to decarbonisation.
AYK founder Chris Kruger said the vessel will be able to operate on zero-emission battery power while entering and exiting port, immediately improving air quality and cutting emissions in built-up port areas.
It is designed to run on diesel, battery power or a combination of the two.
The deal was brokered by AYK’s Spanish agent, Vulkan Espanola.
“We’d like to thank Mureloil and Vulkan for their efforts and for giving AYK the opportunity to supply this vessel,” Kruger said.
“We are now starting to see that electric and hybrid vessels can compete with diesel engine vessels on price. That is what has to happen if the industry is going to kick-start the transition to electric ships.
“The last six months has seen AYK receive a higher number of quotations for vessels requiring bigger batteries than ever before. This includes ferries, tugs and wind farm vessels.”
Mureloil has three small clean tankers built in 2004, 2007 and 2013, valued at $20m by VesselsValue.
It controls shipping operation Naviera Murueta, which has 15 more vessels, including two tankers and general cargo ships.
Three general cargo ships are on order.
Oil company Cepsa partnered Mureloil to build the 8,000-dwt tanker Bahia Levante (built 2022) at the Murueta yard.
This was also a diesel-electric ship to supply fuel in the Bay of Algeciras.
