Schottel equips two Spanish hybrid tankers with propulsion

April 16, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

German propulsion system manufacturer Schottel is set to deliver the propulsion package for a second hybrid chemical tanker owned by Spanish shipowner Mureloil that transports biofuels and methanol.

The propulsion is destined for the 8,000 DWT hybrid chemical tanker Bahía Beatriz, built by Spanish shipyard Astilleros de Murueta and launched in February 2026.

The tanker will feature two SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers type SRP 360 and one SCHOTTEL TransverseThruster type STT 1.

It is designed for bunkering operations and terminal-to-terminal fuel transport and will operate alongside sister vessel Bahía Candela, which is already in service with an identical Schottel propulsion configuration. The vessels will together double Mureloil’s capacity to transport 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.”

According to Schottel, the vessel duo is among the first tankers to operate on battery-based diesel-electric power, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%. The propulsion concept will enable them to run entirely on electricity during port calls, bringing emissions down to zero.