Murueta launches diesel-electric chemical tanker “Bahía Beatriz” for Mureloil and announces another unit for the same shipbuilder

Erandio’s shipyard advances its specialization in vessels with alternative and efficient propulsion systems.

Last Friday, Murueta Shipyards celebrated the chemical tanker launching “Bahía Beatriz,” a hybrid diesel-electric vessel being built for the group's shipowner, Mureloil. It is a sister ship to the “Bahía Candela,” launched last June. Both vessels follow in the footsteps of the Erandio (Bizkaia) shipyard's most recent projects, such as the “Oiz Mendi,” launched in 2018 and Spain's first LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) bunkering vessel; “Ibaizabal Quince,” launched in 2020 and Spain's first LNG-powered harbour tug; and the hybrid oil tanker “Bahía Levante,” also for Mureloil. In addition, the shipyard recently signed another contract with Mureloil for the construction of a chemical tanker intended for supply operations in Portuguese waters, following Mureloil's contract with Galp Energy. This will be the Basque shipyard's B338 vessel, and its delivery is scheduled for 2027.

The “Bahía Beatriz,” whose construction began a year ago, will be delivered at the end of 2026. Equipped with 12 tanks with an approximate capacity of 8,000 cubic meters for supplying new fuels such as methanol, ethanol, and biofuels, the vessel will operate out of Algeciras. The unit will have diesel-electric propulsion and a large battery energy storage system, allowing it to perform refuelling operations in 100% electric mode. The vessel has an overall length of 93.90 meters and a beam of 18.00 meters. Its capacity is for a crew of 11 and it will be able to reach a speed of 11.5 knots.
The project, developed entirely by the Astilleros de Murueta technical office, reinforces the shipyard's commitment to the design of "technologically advanced vessels with a high degree of innovation, focused on energy efficiency and the use of new fuels," the shipyard emphasizes.

Currently, Murueta is progressing with the construction of "Bahía Candela," a sister ship to the recently launched vessel, which is at the outfitting dock. Sea trials will be carried out this March. In addition, the shipyard is finalizing the "Busturia NM" for Naviera Murueta, which will be delivered in April, and is advancing in the development of the B335, a state-of-the-art live fish transport vessel for the Norwegian company Frøy, scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2027.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras