MB Energy and TUI Cruises Complete Methanol Bunkering Trial of Mein Schiff 7

MB Energy has completed a methanol bunkering trial of TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal in the Port of Kiel, an operational milestone in the companies’ push toward lower-carbon marine fuel adoption in the cruise sector.

What did the trial involve?

Approximately 25 cubic metres of methanol from renewable feedstocks were supplied to the vessel, intended primarily for boiler operations on board rather than propulsion. Logistics company Johs. Martens, acting on MB Energy’s behalf, handled the trucking and physical delivery of the methanol to the vessel at the terminal. The delivery itself reflected a lower-carbon approach throughout, with the transport truck running on HVO 100 rather than conventional diesel.

Why does this trial matter operationally?

The bunkering took place while Mein Schiff 7 carried around 2,900 guests on board, alongside multiple simultaneous operations at the pier, making the safe and reliable supply of methanol under real operating conditions a meaningful proof of concept. MB Energy CEO Jonathan Perkins said the operation demonstrates that lower-carbon fuels like renewable methanol can already be integrated into cruise operations safely, and that the infrastructure and expertise needed to support reduced-carbon shipping are in place.

What’s next for MB Energy’s methanol capabilities?

MB Energy is developing its storage infrastructure at Hamburg-Blumensand to become methanol-ready, positioning the site to supply larger volumes of lower-carbon ammonia and methanol to maritime customers going forward. Hamburg and Kiel are set to serve as the company’s primary operational hubs in northern Germany, with capacity to extend supply to other European ports. Perkins noted that combining proprietary storage infrastructure with integrated logistics allows the company to offer customers a reliable, uninterrupted methanol supply.

How does TUI Cruises view the project?

Jörg Umann, Director of Strategic Planning, Treasury, IR and Fuel at TUI Cruises, said the project delivered valuable operational experience in supplying and handling certified renewable methanol under real conditions. While this particular delivery supported boiler operations rather than propulsion, Umann noted that such projects help the company understand how alternative fuels can factor into a broader emissions reduction strategy.

What does this signal for cruise sector decarbonisation?

The trial adds to a growing body of evidence that alternative marine fuels are moving from pilot-scale demonstrations toward operational readiness at major European ports. For the cruise segment specifically, where large passenger volumes and continuous onboard power demand add complexity to fuel transitions, a successful live bunkering at a busy terminal offers a template that other operators and fuel suppliers are likely to watch closely as the sector works toward its own decarbonisation targets.