Mediterranean Cruise Port Expands LNG Bunkering Network

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.