Bilbao, June 2025 – Ignacio Barturen Gomeza, a recent graduate in Nautical Science and Maritime Transport from the School of Engineering at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), has been awarded the Tradewind Tankers award 2025, which recognizes the best undergraduate or master’s thesis related to the maritime and nautical field.
His winning project, titled “The Marker Boat in Sailing Races: A Technical and Regulatory Analysis”, was supervised by Professor Yolanda Merodio Beascoechea from the Department of Business Organization.
Through a detailed analysis of incidents in competitive sailing events, Barturen identifies critical areas in the organization and maintenance of marker vessels, proposing practical measures to reduce the negative impact of human error. His work emphasizes the importance of professional, well-structured management to enhance safety and operational effectiveness in the planning and execution of sailing regattas.
The award was presented during an academic ceremony held in Bilbao. Ramón de Torres Ruiz, representing Tradewind Tankers, handed over the prize and highlighted the company’s strong commitment to supporting the next generation of maritime professionals. He also stressed the importance of applied research in driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges in the maritime industry.
By sponsoring this award, Tradewind Tankers continues to demonstrate its dedication to young talent and its ongoing investment in building a safer, more efficient, and forward-looking maritime sector.