Cepsa and Mureloil unveil Hybrid Bunker Supply Vessel ‘Bahía Levante’ at Algeciras Port. The Port of Algeciras hosted this event with the presence of executives from both companies, the APBA, and authorities from the Campo de Gibraltar. It marks the debut of the first hybrid electric-diesel supply vessel operating in Europe, contributing significantly to the decarbonization of maritime transport and port operations. Operating in the Bay of Algeciras since January, this vessel supplies both second-generation biofuels and conventional fuels.
Cepsa, a leading provider of marine fuels in Spain, jointly organized a presentation and blessing ceremony for the hybrid electric-diesel bunker supply vessel ‘Bahía Levante’ with the Spanish shipowner Mureloil. This remarkable vessel, in operation since January in the Bay of Algeciras and having completed 315 refueling operations, is the first of its kind in Europe to supply marine fuels.
The Bunker Supply Vessel Bahía Levante is equipped with four generator sets enabling electric propulsion, achieves a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and over 35% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional supply vessels. This contributes to an annual reduction of more than 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, it generates zero carbon emissions when docked thanks to a battery system for auxiliary services.
In addition to these environmental benefits, the vessel is also involved in supplying second-generation biofuels, which commenced in September. These sustainable fuels can be used without the need for ship modifications and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycle by up to 90% compared to traditional fossil fuels.
The event was chaired by Jose Luis Caraballo, CEO of Mureloil, Samir Fernández, Director of Cepsa Marine Fuel Solutions, and Gerardo Landaluce, President of the Bay of Algeciras Port Authority (APBA), among other heads of the companies and authorities of the Campo de Gibraltar.
Samir Fernández, Director of Cepsa Marine Fuel Solutions, said: “This vessel reflects Cepsa’s commitment to the decarbonisation of maritime transport and ports, especially Andalusian ports. We want to continue to be at the forefront of marine fuel sourcing, offering our customers increasingly sustainable solutions through ships that are also more sustainable.”
José Luis Caraballo, CEO of Mureloil, said: “This vessel reflects Cepsa’s commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport and ports, particularly in Andalusian ports. We aim to stay at the forefront of marine fuel supply, offering our customers increasingly sustainable solutions through vessels that are more environmentally friendly.”
Gerardo Landaluce, president of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority, said: “The Port of Algeciras supplies around 4 million tons of low-sulfur fuel to its customers, leading the market in the Mediterranean, even before the implementation of the IMO 2020 regulation. Landaluce stressed the objective of “establishing Algeciras as the top choice for refueling in the Strait of Gibraltar, supporting projects like Cepsa and Mureloil, which not only reduce emissions during operations but also ensure the supply of both transitional and future fuels.”
The construction and operation of this vessel is part of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 set of measures, which includes the ‘FuelEU Maritime’ legislative initiative, which aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emission intensity in maritime transport. Specifically, it envisages a reduction of 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030 and 80% in 2050, compared to 2020 levels. Also, from 2030, it will oblige ships to connect to a port electricity supply to cover their electricity needs while docked at the quayside, unless they use another zero-emission technology.
Cepsa offers a diversified portfolio of solutions to facilitate the decarbonisation of maritime transport that, in addition to biofuels, includes products such as LNG. In addition, Cepsa will be able to supply synthetic marine fuels, such as green ammonia or methanol, in the future, which the company will produce in the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley, one of the largest green hydrogen projects in Europe.
Source Cepsa