Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Repsol sign eight-year renewable marine fuel supply deal at Port of Barcelona

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has signed an eight-year agreement with Spanish energy company Repsol to supply renewable marine fuels to its cruise vessels at the Port of Barcelona, marking one of the longest and most comprehensive renewable fuel partnerships in the cruise industry to date.

Under the deal, Repsol will provide a portfolio of renewable fuels to NCLH’s ships, beginning with biofuels from 2026, followed by renewable methanol from 2029. The renewable fuels will be supplied directly to vessels operated by NCLH’s three brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — when calling at the port.

Agreement supports decarbonization and circular economy goals

According to both companies, the partnership aligns with their shared ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reflects the evolving international regulatory landscape for maritime decarbonization. All fuels supplied under the agreement will be certified under the ISCC EU sustainability framework, ensuring compliance with European standards for renewable fuel production and use.

The renewable methanol supplied to NCLH will be produced at Repsol’s forthcoming Ecoplanta facility in Tarragona, Spain, where the company plans to convert municipal solid waste into renewable fuels and circular products. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2029, with the capacity to process up to 400,000 tonnes of urban waste annually, producing around 240,000 tonnes of renewable fuels and circular materials.

NCLH is the first company to secure an offtake agreement for renewable methanol from the Ecoplanta site.

Industry perspectives

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, stated:

“This milestone agreement highlights that renewable fuels are ready to play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of the maritime sector. By partnering with NCLH, one of the world’s leading cruise companies, we show that renewable fuels are already deployable at scale to immediately start reducing emissions at sea.”

Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, added:

“This partnership is an excellent example of how cross-industry collaboration can unlock meaningful progress. Securing long-term access to renewable marine fuels at a key European port aligns directly with our Sail & Sustain program and demonstrates our commitment to advancing towards a more sustainable future.”

Advancing cruise sector sustainability

The collaboration supports NCLH’s Sail & Sustain environmental program, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity, investing in new fuel technologies, and collaborating across the maritime value chain. The company has set interim targets to reduce GHG intensity by 10% by 2026 and 25% by 2030, relative to 2019 levels. By securing renewable fuel supply at one of Europe’s major cruise ports, NCLH aims to enhance fuel flexibility and support broader circular economy objectives while maintaining operational efficiency.