Marine battery maker AYK Energy pioneers electrification of chemical tankers signing second contract with Spanish ship owner Mureloil

AYK Energy is further expanding electric propulsion systems in the chemical tanker market after signing a second deal with Spanish ship owner Mureloil.

While installing battery systems in the ferry and workboat sector is well established AYK is pioneering the use of diesel electric hybrid systems in the tanker market.  As a result the two tankers being built by Mureloil will be among the first in the world to operate on diesel electric power enabling Mureloil to slash GHG emissions by up to 50 per cent. In port, meanwhile, emissions will be cut entirely as the vessels can operate on full electric power during port operations.  

AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger said the latest deal was signed following a site visit at AYK’s Zhuhai, China factory. He said the agreement will see AYK deliver the same 4.2 MWh Aries+ battery system to Mureloil’s 8000 DWT product tanker Bahía Beatriz, currently under construction at Astilleros de Murueta shipyard, outside Bilbao. This follows successfully installing the battery system aboard its sister vessel the Bahía Candela also a 8000 DWT tanker. The vessels will double Mureloil’s capacity to transport biofuels and methanol strengthening the shipping line’s presence in the sustainable marine fuels sector.

Mr Kruger said the AYK team would like to thank Mureloil for trusting AYK to deliver a second system on its new vessel. And he confirmed AYK’s Spanish agent VULKAN will help install the battery system.

“The time for marine batteries has come,” said he said. “Although these vessels are hybrid diesel electric we are now seeing that the technology is there to go fully electric not just on ferries, OSVs and workboats but also tankers like these. But seeing batteries on tankers is a significant moment for electric power.  The energy density of batteries is increasing, the price is reducing and the payback period is quicker. AYK’s latest innovation with Mureloil sends a bold message that batteries are fundamental to maritime’s decarbonisation journey. Batteries are just getting bigger and better all the while slashing more emissions.”