Switzerland’s energy producer Axpo on Wednesday (12 August) said it has completed the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation with Vitol at the Port of Civitavecchia in Italy, refuelling a flagship vessel of a leading international cruise line.

The company said Italy’s premier cruise port and Europe’s second largest now joins Genoa and Naples in offering LNG bunkering services.  

“This represents an important milestone in the development of infrastructure and services for alternative maritime fuels in Italian ports,” Axpo said. 

Green Pearl, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18. Operated by Axpo, Green Pearl was brought into service in 2026 and is dedicated to ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering operations in Italian ports.

Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi, said: “This latest operation shows the ability of our supply chain to grow rapidly and meet the needs of leading international cruise lines. Over the coming years, the shipping and cruise sectors will be called upon to accelerate their decarbonisation journey. Today, LNG is one of the most substantial and readily available solutions to help support this transition.”

Vitol Head of Small Scale LNG & LNG Bunkering Stefan Dubbeldam, added: “LNG and bio-LNG have a key role to play in reducing emissions from bunkering. Vitol is globally invested throughout the value chain, from upstream bio-LNG and LNG production and offtake, through to solutions for customers through our LNG Bunker Vessel fleet.”

The extension of Axpo’s coverage to Civitavecchia, the primary seaport for Rome, follows the launch of LNG ship-to-ship bunkering at Genoa in late 2025 and Naples in May this year. 

In addition to Green Pearl, the company has also chartered Alisios LNG, a new 12,500 m³ capacity bunkering vessel for low-emission fuels, which became operational in Spain last March.

Photo credit: Axpo
Published: 13 August, 2026

Tanker shipping company Somtrans on Saturday (8 August) said its new 20,000 m³ LNG bunkering barge has successfully been launched at China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co Ltd (CIMC SOE).

The company said the barge is now one step closer to joining its fleet in January next year and beginning its journey at sea.

“From the first plans to seeing the barge enter the water, this project has involved years of expertise, teamwork and dedication from many people,” it said in a social media post. 

Separately, RensenDriessen Shipbuilding, which acted as a broker in the project, said the vessel was built by CIMC SOE, with newbuilding supervision carried out by EXMAR.  

Photo credit: Somtrans
Published: 11 August, 2026

Marine fuels supplier Peninsula recently published an article on why bio-LNG is emerging as a key fuel pathway in the maritime energy transition:

As the maritime industry accelerates its decarbonisation journey, operators face a growing challenge: reducing emissions while maintaining operational efficiency and commercial viability. While no single fuel offers a universal solution, Bio-LNG is increasingly attracting attention as a practical pathway for LNG-fuelled vessels seeking immediate emissions reductions without major infrastructure changes. 

The conversation around alternative fuels often focuses on future technologies and long-term investments. However, for many operators, the more pressing question is how to reduce emissions today using solutions that can be implemented within existing operations. This is where Bio-LNG presents a compelling proposition. 

“As operators look to balance compliance, cost and operational performance, Bio-LNG offers a practical solution that can be integrated into existing LNG infrastructure today. Increasing availability across key bunkering locations is helping turn decarbonisation ambitions into operational reality.” Cristina Danes, LNG Supply Trader, Peninsula. 

Building on Existing LNG Infrastructure 

BioLNG is a renewable marine fuel produced from certified biogenic waste feedstocks. While its origin differs from conventional LNG, it remains chemically equivalent, allowing it to be used within existing LNG infrastructure and dual-fuel engines. This compatibility eliminates the need for costly vessel modifications or extensive retrofitting programmes, reducing both complexity and investment requirements. 

For operators that have already invested in LNG-capable vessels, bioLNG offers a clear route to further improve environmental performance while leveraging existing assets and supply chains. 

The increasing availability of bioLNG across key bunkering hubs is helping remove barriers to adoption. Recent supply operations, including Peninsula’s first Bio-LNG delivery in the Port of Cadiz, illustrate how renewable marine fuels are becoming more accessible through existing LNG supply chains. 

Delivering Meaningful Emissions Reductions 

As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, the ability to demonstrate measurable emissions reductions is becoming increasingly important. BioLNG can achieve lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 90% compared with conventional marine fuels when produced from certified waste-based feedstocks. 

These reductions represent a significant opportunity for vessel operators looking to improve their environmental performance while balancing commercial considerations and operational requirements. 

Supporting Regulatory Compliance 

Alongside emissions reduction targets, compliance is becoming an increasingly central consideration in fuel procurement decisions. 

Frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime are creating new incentives for lower-carbon fuel adoption while introducing additional complexity into compliance planning. In this environment, BioLNG can play an important role in helping operators manage their emissions profile and support broader compliance strategies, including participation in mechanisms such as FuelEU pooling. 

As regulations continue to develop, flexibility will become an increasingly valuable asset. Fuels that can deliver both environmental and compliance benefits are likely to play a growing role in operators’ fuel strategies. 

A Practical Step Forward 

The maritime energy transition will require a mix of solutions, technologies and fuel pathways. While longer-term alternatives continue to develop, BioLNG provides an immediately available option for LNG-fuelled vessels seeking to reduce emissions and prepare for a more carbon-conscious operating environment. 

For many operators, the transition to lower-carbon shipping will not be defined by a single transformational change, but by a series of practical steps. BioLNG represents one such step: leveraging existing infrastructure, supporting regulatory compliance and helping bridge the gap between today’s operations and the future of shipping.

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 11 August, 2026