The launch took place after the traditional Aurresku (Basque tribute dance), the blessing by Father Jon Etxebarria and the ship’s godmother, Pilar Goirizelaia, cutting the tape.

The new vessel has diesel electrical thrust, which will allow it to use the power it needs at any given time and optimise consumption during its voyages. The ‘Gernika NM’ will become part of the MAAS (Murueta Atlantico Alcudia Shipping) fleet; based in Bilbao, the company has 12 vessels transporting any type of dry cargo, bulk and large projects in Europe, North Africa and the Black Sea.

Third vessel for MAAS

This is the third vessel that Murueta Shipyard has designed and built for MAAS, after the ‘Mundaka NM’ and the ‘Katuxa NM’. In fact, in the same way as the two earlier vessels, the conception and design of the ‘Gernika NM’ is completely the work of the MURUETA SHIPYARD engineering division in conjunction with the shipowner. The vessel will be delivered in 2024 and is Build Number 330 of the yard.

MURUETA SHIPYARD thus further consolidates its commitment to vessel designs that are technologically advanced and with a high innovation component, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and the use of new fuels. The shipyard’s recent projects have been in this line of high innovation, such as the construction of the OIZMENDI (2018), Spain’s first LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas); the IBAIZABAL QUINCE (2020), Spain’s first port tug powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG); and the Bahía Levante (2022), a hybrid oil tanker with zero emission in port, along with the new vessels being built for MAAS.

Murueta Shipyard

The details of the GERNIKA NM hybrid dry cargo vessel are as follows:

• Total length: 103.40 m
• Beam: 15.60 m
• Crew: 11 pax
• Hold capacity: 8,050 m3
• Load capacity: 6,200 mt
• Speed: 13.50 knots