SCHOTTEL has been chosen to provide a propulsion package for Bahía Beatriz, an 8,000 DWT hybrid chemical tanker designed specifically for bunking operations and terminal-to-terminal fuel transport.
Built by Spanish shipyard Astilleros de Murueta; the vessel was officially launched by Bilbao-based shipowner Mureloil in February 2026.
The tanker will enter operation alongside sister ship Bahía Candela, which is currently in service and utilising an identical SCHOTTEL propulsion configuration.
Together, both vessels will work to double Mureloil’s capacity to transport both biofuels and methanol.
Jose Luis Caraballo, General Manager at Mureloil, said:Choosing azimuth thrusters for a diesel-electric bunker vessel is not just a technical preference – it is a strategic maintenance decision that enhances safety and performance in one of the most demanding maritime operations: ship-to-ship fuel transfer.
In order to ensure operational efficiency and minimise overall emissions; Bahía Beatriz utilises a diesel-electric propulsion system that aims to deliver consistent and dependable performance.
The two vessels are amongst the first tankers to operate on battery-based diesel-electric power, cutting potential greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% – a propulsion concept that will enable the vessels to run entirely on electricity during port calls, bringing emissions down to zero.
