Celestyal Discovery becomes first ship in Greece to use biofuel for sustainable cruising

Celestyal Discovery has become the first vessel to operate on a marine biofuel blend in Greek waters, marking a significant step toward sustainability in the cruise industry. The ship was refueled at the Port of Lavrion, with the refueling conducted by Coral Marine Products SA, a subsidiary of the Motor Oil Group, in collaboration with Celestyal.

The innovative fuel blend combines traditional marine fuel with second-generation biofuel, sourced from recycled cooking oils. Developed by Motor Oil’s subsidiary Verd, the biofuel blend meets the ISO 8217:2024 standards and is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 21%.

Captain George Koumpenas, Chief Operating Officer at Celestyal, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This marks a significant milestone toward sustainable cruising. We are proud that Celestyal Discovery is pioneering the reduction of the environmental impact of the cruise sector in Greece.”

This initiative is a crucial element of Celestyal’s ongoing sustainability efforts and is aligned with the broader global transition toward cleaner energy solutions.

Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal, remarked, “Sustainability is at the heart of our long-term vision, reflected in everything from our fleet updates to itinerary expansions. This groundbreaking use of biofuel is a moment of pride for us and showcases the potential of combining local expertise with global goals. We are committed to further exploring innovative solutions that support environmental sustainability while enriching the cruising experience for future generations.”

Celestyal Discovery, which joined the fleet in November 2023 following a major refurbishment, is a 1,360-guest ship. From April through November, the ship will operate three- and four-night “Iconic Greek Islands” cruises departing from Athens, with fares starting at $389 per person. Following this, the vessel will move to the Arabian Gulf for its first “Iconic Arabia” season, offering similar short cruises from Abu Dhabi, with fares beginning at $718 for two passengers.