Bilbao, Spain | December 22, 2025 – In a significant move toward the decarbonization of marine fuel logistics, Mureloil SA and Astilleros Murueta have officially signed a contract for the construction of a state-of-the-art hybrid chemical tanker.
The agreement, finalized yesterday in Bilbao by Jose Luis Caraballo, Managing Director of Mureloil, and Cesar Aizpuru Arregui, Technical Director of Astilleros Murueta, marks a strategic expansion for Mureloil as it prepares to deploy the vessel for bunkering operations in Portuguese waters.
Technical Specifications & Sustainability Focus
The newbuilding is designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern environmental regulations, featuring a hybrid propulsion system integrated with high-capacity batteries. This setup allows the vessel to operate in full electric mode for several hours, significantly reducing noise and local pollutants during sensitive operations.
Key features of the design include:
- Hybrid Propulsion: Integration of battery power to supplement traditional engines.
- Onshore Power Supply (OPS): The ship will be “plug-in ready,” allowing it to draw electricity from the grid while at berth, enabling zero-emission port stays.
- Future-Fuel Ready: The vessel is specifically engineered to handle the transport and supply of biofuels and methanol, positioning Mureloil to serve the growing demand for alternative marine fuels.
The vessel will be classed by Bureau Veritas and will fly the Spanish flag. Delivery is currently scheduled for the end of 2027.
A Strategic Partnership in Bilbao
This project reinforces a long-standing relationship between the two Basque entities. Mureloil, which began as a joint venture in 2003, has been 100% owned by Naviera Murueta S.A. since 2016.
Mureloil’s Current Fleet at a Glance: The new tanker will join a specialized fleet currently consisting of seven vessels:
- Bahía Uno, Bahía Tres, Blue Vega, Green Cádiz, Bahía Levante, Bahía Candela, and Bahía Beatriz.
- Cargo Capacity: Ranging from 2,600 to 8,000 MT.
In the modern bunkering and marine fuel sector, Astilleros de Murueta is recognized as a pioneer in the global energy transition. The shipyard has been instrumental in developing some of the industry’s most innovative low-emission vessels, including the Bahía Levante, Europe’s first hybrid diesel-electric tanker—and Spain’s first LNG supply ship, the Oiz Mendi.
By integrating state-of-the-art battery propulsion systems, Onshore Power Supply (OPS) capabilities, and specialized designs for transporting methanol and biofuels, Murueta continues to provide shipowners with the “optimal vessel” for a decarbonized future. Their commitment to maritime innovation ensures that every newbuilding remains a benchmark for operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Market Impact: The Shift to Greener Bunkering
By deploying this vessel in Portugal, Mureloil is addressing a critical gap in the Atlantic bunkering market: the need for low-emission supply infrastructure. As the maritime industry moves toward FuelEU Maritime compliance and stricter IMO targets, hybrid tankers capable of delivering methanol and biofuels are becoming essential assets for fuel suppliers.
“This newbuilding reinforces both companies’ commitment to designing advanced technological solutions for the maritime supply and transportation of marine fuels.”
About Astilleros de Murueta
Established in 1943 along the Gernika estuary in Bizkaia, Spain, Astilleros de Murueta is a leading private shipbuilder that has spent over 80 years at the forefront of naval engineering. From its humble beginnings with the launch of the cargo ship Punta Begoña, the company has grown into a highly specialized industrial group, having delivered more than 300 vessels to date.
Today, Murueta operates two strategic facilities in the Basque Country, the original yard in Gernika and a second in Erandio, Bilbao, where it leverages advanced technology and a highly skilled workforce to design and construct everything from freezer trawlers and live fish carriers to sophisticated tankers and tugs.
About MURELOIL SA
MURELOIL SA is a leading bunker service company based in Bilbao, Spain, specializing in the supply and transport of marine fuels. With a long history of excellence and a forward-looking approach to sustainability, MURELOIL is committed to driving innovation in the maritime fuel industry, ensuring a greener future for global shipping.
For more information about MURELOIL and its fleet, please visit their headquarters at San Vicente 8, Edificio Albia I-9º Planta, Bilbao, Spain.
Source MurelOil