AYK Energy has signed a second agreement with Spanish shipowner Mureloil to supply battery systems for two chemical tankers, expanding the use of hybrid propulsion within this vessel segment.

Under the contract, AYK Energy will install its 4.2 MWh Aries+ marine battery systems on the 8,000-dwt sister vessels Bahía Candela and Bahía Beatriz. The ships will be equipped with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, enabling electric-only operation during port calls.

According to AYK Energy, the battery systems will enable up to a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at sea and allow zero-emission operations in port through full-electric capability.

The two vessels are intended to transport biofuels and methanol, with the installations set to increase Mureloil’s carrying capacity for these cargoes. AYK Energy said the project places the vessels among the earliest chemical tankers to adopt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion.

While hybrid and electric propulsion systems are now standard in ferries and workboats, their uptake within the chemical tanker sector has been limited. AYK Energy also stated that growing regulatory pressure and improvements in battery performance are accelerating interest among shipowners.

The battery systems will be based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, which the company noted is gaining traction in commercial shipping as energy density improves and costs decline.