The Spanish shipbuilding industry has made a significant impact in the maritime decarbonization arena. The Bahía Candela (B333), the new strategic asset of the shipping company Mureloil, has successfully completed its official sea trials in the estuary of Bilbao, starting the countdown to its final delivery. This vessel, designed to operate under charter from Repsol, represents the most advanced technical response to the demands of the IMO and the European Union, positioning itself as an industrial sovereignty piece that connects the excellence of Basque shipyards with the logistical potential of the Canary Islands.
The architecture of the vessel, classified by Bureau Veritas, breaks with the conventional fuel supply model. Equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system and two SCHOTTEL azimuth thrusters, the Bahía Candela integrates an impressive storage capacity of 4.2 MWh using AYK Energy’s LFP battery technology. This hybrid system not only allows for a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions during bunkering operations but also guarantees completely electric navigation for short routes, achieving the coveted zero-emissions goal and the complete elimination of noise and gases in port areas and urban zones.
Beyond its electrical efficiency, the Bahía Candela is born as an IMO II multi-key vessel, capable of supplying biofuels and methanol. This versatility is what has led Repsol to invest in the project, ensuring that the supply infrastructure in the Atlantic is prepared ahead of regulatory deadlines. The vessel acts as an ‘energy brain’ thanks to its Power Management System (PMS) and its capability for Onshore Power Supply, optimizing every watt and reinforcing operational safety through Yokohama-type fenders for mooring maneuvers at anchor or dock.
The administrative process is now entering its critical phase. After completing the Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT) operational protocols and inspections by the Maritime Captaincy and the DGMM, the vessel will obtain its international statutory certificates. The final milestone will be the flagging in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, under the Special Register of Ships and Shipping Companies (REBECA), consolidating the Canary Islands as the base port for one of the most sustainable fleets in the world.
The delivery of the Bahía Candela by Astilleros Murueta is not just an engineering success; it is the confirmation that the partnership between owners like Mureloil and energy companies like Repsol has managed to create a resilient industrial node. An asset that not only transports fuel but also carries the credibility of a sector that, in the face of uncertainties in global routes, bets on its own technology to lead the future of sustainable maritime transport.
