Zhuhai, China | December 16, 2025 – AYK Energy, world’s leading marine battery manufacturer, has announced a landmark second contract with Spanish shipowner Mureloil. The deal marks a major leap for the electrification of the chemical tanker market, a sector traditionally slower to adopt battery technology than the ferry or workboat segments.
The agreement, signed following a high-level site visit to AYK’s manufacturing facility in Zhuhai, China, will see the installation of a 4.2 MWh Aries+ battery system aboard the Bahía Beatriz. The 8,000 DWT product tanker is currently under construction at the Astilleros de Murueta shipyard near Bilbao. This follows the successful deployment of an identical system on its sister vessel, the Bahía Candela.
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Decarbonizing the “Hard-to-Abate” Tanker Sector
While hybrid systems are becoming standard in short-sea shipping, AYK Energy is pioneering their application in larger liquid bulk carriers. The new vessels will be among the first in the global fleet to utilize a diesel-electric hybrid configuration specifically designed to:
- Slash GHG Emissions: Reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% during transit.
- Zero-Emission Port Operations: Enable 100% electric operation while in port, eliminating local air pollution and noise during critical loading and unloading phases.
- Fuel Versatility: Double Mureloil’s capacity to transport sustainable fuels, specifically biofuels and methanol, reinforcing the shipowner’s role in the green energy supply chain.
“The time for marine batteries has come,” stated Chris Kruger, Founder of AYK Energy. “We are now seeing that the technology is there to go fully electric, not just on ferries and OSVs, but on tankers like these. Seeing batteries on tankers is a significant moment; energy density is increasing, prices are falling, and the payback period is getting quicker.”
LFP vs. NMC: A Shift in Battery Chemistry
A key driver of this partnership is AYK’s advocacy for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology over the traditionally dominant Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) chemistry.
| Feature | LFP (AYK Energy Standard) | NMC (Traditional Standard) |
| Safety | High thermal stability; lower fire risk | Known risks of thermal runaway |
| Lifespan | Often exceeds 3,000–5,000 cycles | Typically 1,000–2,000 cycles |
| Cost | More affordable; cobalt-free | Subject to volatile nickel/cobalt pricing |
| Performance | Now matching or exceeding NMC density | High density but higher degradation |
Chris Kruger emphasized that AYK’s LFP systems are “democratizing” the technology by making it safer and more cost-effective for commercial operators facing a “regulatory squeeze” from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime.
Strategic Growth and Implementation
The project will be supported by AYK’s Spanish agent, VULKAN, who will assist in the integration and installation of the Aries+ system. This contract caps a year of rapid expansion for AYK, which recently secured DNV Type Approval for its entire product range, setting a new benchmark for industry safety standards.
For Mureloil, based in Bilbao, this second vessel solidifies its position as a world leader in sustainable bunkering services. By investing in hybrid-electric tankers capable of carrying the next generation of marine fuels, Mureloil is future-proofing its fleet against increasingly stringent environmental penalties.
About Mureloil SA
Mureloil SA is a premier Spanish shipping and bunkering service company based in Bilbao, specializing in the supply and transport of marine fuels. With a history spanning several decades of excellence in the Iberian Peninsula, Mureloil has established itself as a leader in “green logistics” and sustainable fuel transportation.
As an owner and manager of a specialized fleet of product tankers, Mureloil is a key partner for major energy companies like Cepsa and Repsol. The company is currently spearheading the electrification of the chemical and product tanker market, investing heavily in hybrid-electric vessels to future-proof its operations against stringent European environmental regulations such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS. Committed to preserving the marine environment, Mureloil continues to innovate by expanding its capacity to transport next-generation fuels, including biofuels and methanol, ensuring a cleaner future for global shipping.
About AYK Energy
AYK Energy is an international marine battery manufacturer at the forefront of the global energy transition. Founded in 2018 by Chris Kruger, a pioneer in maritime battery technology with over 15 years of industry experience, the company is dedicated to making electric propulsion safer, more efficient, and commercially viable for the mass market.
Headquartered in Andorra with a state-of-the-art, automated manufacturing facility in Zhuhai, China, AYK Energy leverages proximity to the global battery supply chain to deliver high-performance Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) systems. The company is renowned for achieving industry “firsts,” including the world’s largest marine battery installations and high-profile projects for Greenpeace International and Svitzer. With a focus on safety and data-driven innovation, AYK Energy’s products carry type approval from major classification societies, including DNV, setting new standards for the decarbonization of the global shipping and offshore sectors.
Source: AYK Energy