Spanish Short-Sea Fleet Backs Diesel-Electric

The 103m Mundaka NM-type is a single-hold, general purpose carrier powered by an electrical propulsion system based on two main generators. The concept and design has been developed by the shipbuilder’s engineering division in collaboration with the group’s contractual owner Naviera Murueta.

The latter’s investment programme, which should realise two of the new breed this year, starting with Mundaka NM’s commissioning in May, and the second pair in 2024, seeks to combine the versatility and efficiency of the diesel-electric mode with a vessel configuration that can ensure competitiveness and trading versatility in short-sea movements of bulk, breakbulk and also project cargo shipments.

The entire series will be assigned to Murueta Atlantico Alcudia Shipping (MAAS), the pool established in October 2012 as the strategic alliance of Bilbao-domiciled Naviera Murueta and three other Spanish operators, Atlantico Shipping (Corunna), Transportes Maritimos Alcudia (Majorca), and Urola Shipping (Zumaia). MAAS commercially deploys 13 dry cargo vessels in the 4,800-7,500dwt range throughout Europe, North Africa and the Black Sea, plus four small tankers.

The newbuild design embodies a single hold of 67.9m x 12.9m x 9.2m main dimensions, fitted with two moveable bulkheads and a Munters dehumidification system, and affording a total intake of some 6,000t or 284,000ft³. The steel floor can accept 15t/m², including coils of up to 45t unit weight. The underdeck spaces are closed by pontoon-type hatch covers, with a loading capability equivalent to 1.6t/m².

The new, Lloyd’s Register-classed generation will have the capability to make 13.5 knots and manoeuvring will be assisted by a 400kW bow tunnel thruster.