Axpo and Vitol Expand LNG Bunkering to Italy's Largest Cruise Port

Axpo and Vitol have launched a new LNG bunkering service at Civitavecchia, Italy's largest cruise port, expanding low-carbon fuel availability across the country. The service extends Axpo's LNG bunkering network to three major Italian cruise ports, following earlier launches at Genoa and Naples. Operations are supported by the bunkering vessel Green Pearl, positioning the partners to serve a growing fleet of LNG-fuelled cruise ships as the sector pursues decarbonisation.

 

Details of the New Service

 

Axpo and Vitol have jointly launched a new bunkering operation. Swiss energy producer Axpo has partnered with commodity trader Vitol. Together they have introduced LNG bunkering at Civitavecchia. This is Italy's largest cruise port by activity. The launch marks a significant expansion of the service.

The new operation forms part of a broader network. Axpo's service now covers three major Italian cruise ports. The company began offering LNG ship-to-ship bunkering at Genoa in late 2025. It added Naples in May of this year. Civitavecchia completes this expanding network of Italian ports.

 

The Bunkering Vessel

 

The service relies on a dedicated bunkering vessel. Green Pearl is a 7,500-cubic-metre Italian bunkering vessel. Axpo operates it under a 10-year charter agreement. The vessel was brought into service specifically for these operations. It supports the company's Italian bunkering activities.

The vessel offers flexible bunkering capabilities. It can conduct ship-to-ship bunkering operations. It also performs ship-to-truck bunkering in Italian ports. This dual capability broadens the range of customers it can serve. It allows fuel delivery both to vessels and to shore-based transport.

 

Growing Demand From Cruise Lines

 

The service responds to a growing market for LNG fuel. Around 30 cruise ships globally can currently use LNG as fuel. Another 30 such vessels are under construction. This expanding fleet drives demand for bunkering infrastructure. Italy's major cruise ports are natural locations to serve them.

Many leading cruise operators already use LNG-dual-fuel vessels. These include AIDA, Carnival and Costa. Disney and MSC Cruises also operate such ships. P&O, Royal Caribbean and TUI complete this group. This broad adoption underlines the demand the new service addresses.

 

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Supporting Decarbonisation

 

The service is positioned within the sector's decarbonisation efforts. Company leadership highlighted the pressure on shipping to decarbonise. The cruise sector will be called upon to accelerate this journey. LNG is presented as a substantial and readily available solution. It offers a practical option to support this transition.

The partners are positioned to supply cleaner fuels as demand evolves. Vitol stated its readiness to supply LNG and bioLNG. The company is invested throughout the value chain. This spans upstream bioLNG and LNG production and offtake. It extends to customer solutions through its bunker vessel fleet.

 

The Partners' Broader Fleet

 

The Italian service forms part of a wider bunkering operation. In addition to Green Pearl, the partners charter another vessel. Alisios LNG is a newer bunkering vessel with greater capacity. It offers 12,500 cubic metres of capacity for low-emission fuels. This vessel began operating in Spain in March.

This expanding fleet reflects growing investment in LNG bunkering. Operating vessels across multiple markets broadens the partners' reach. It positions them to serve demand across southern Europe. The combination of vessels supports both Italian and Spanish operations. This infrastructure underpins their ability to meet rising demand.