Repsol has announced the start of commercial operations for its newly chartered bunker vessel, Bahía Candela. This vessel will facilitate the supply of co-processed low-carbon marine fuels, initially at the Port of Algeciras. The Bahía Candela loaded its first consignment of this renewable fuel at Repsol's Petronor refinery located in Bilbao. The vessel, owned by Mureloil and constructed by Astilleros de Murueta, was officially launched in February 2026 and is designed with multiproduct capabilities.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, the introduction of low-carbon marine fuels in a key bunkering port like Algeciras presents an opportunity to meet evolving sustainability requirements. While the immediate impact on freight rates may be minimal, the availability of such fuels supports efforts to reduce Scope 3 emissions in the supply chain. This development could influence carrier choices and routing for shippers prioritizing green logistics, potentially leading to increased demand for vessels capable of utilizing these alternative fuels.
