Axpo and Vitol have completed the first LNG bunkering operation at Italy's Port of Civitavecchia, adding the major cruise hub to their growing LNG refuelling network and extending the availability of lower-emission marine fuel across the country's key port cities.

The ship-to-ship operation was conducted by Green Pearl, Axpo's 7,500 m³ LNG bunkering vessel, at berth 18 on Sunday morning. Axpo confirmed the milestone in an emailed update to Ship & Bunker on Wednesday.

Green Pearl entered service in 2026 and is equipped to perform both ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering across Italian ports.

Civitavecchia — the primary seaport for Rome and Europe's second-largest cruise port — follows Genoa and Naples in offering LNG bunkering services. Axpo launched LNG ship-to-ship bunkering at Genoa in late 2025 and expanded the service to Naples in May of this year. The rollout reflects broader momentum across Mediterranean ports to build LNG bunkering capacity, as cruise operators and container lines increasingly add LNG-fuelled vessels to their fleets.

The latest bunkering operation was carried out for a vessel operated by an international cruise line. Axpo stated that the expansion to Civitavecchia will help strengthen LNG bunkering infrastructure and services across Italy.

"Today, LNG is one of the most substantial and readily available solutions to help support this transition," said Simone Demarchi, CEO of Axpo Italia.

"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," said Stefan Dubbeldam, head of small-scale LNG & LNG bunkering at Vitol.

The expansion comes as the maritime sector faces tightening emissions requirements, including the International Maritime Organization's strategy to peak and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and the EU's FuelEU Maritime regulation, which mandates gradual reductions in the carbon intensity of onboard energy use starting in 2025. LNG produces lower sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter compared to conventional marine fuel oil, though its contribution to overall CO₂ reduction depends on the engine technology and any methane slip along the supply chain.

Axpo is also expanding its bunkering fleet. Alongside Green Pearl, the company has chartered Alisios LNG, a 12,500 m³ bunkering vessel that began operating in Spain in March.

Source: Ship & Bunker