ROME, Aug. 12, 2026 - Axpo and Vitol have completed the first ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at the Port of Civitavecchia, Italy’s largest cruise port, expanding the country’s alternative marine-fuel infrastructure.
The operation was carried out by Green Pearl, a 7,500-cubic-metre LNG bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, which refuelled a flagship cruise vessel at Civitavecchia’s berth 18.
Green Pearl entered service in 2026 and is designed to provide ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck LNG bunkering services at Italian ports.
Civitavecchia, the main seaport serving Rome and Europe’s second-largest cruise port, now joins Genoa and Naples in offering LNG refuelling services. Axpo launched ship-to-ship LNG bunkering at Genoa in late 2025 and at Naples in May 2026.
Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi said the operation demonstrated the company’s ability to expand its LNG supply chain and meet the growing needs of international cruise operators.
Vitol’s Head of Small Scale LNG & LNG Bunkering, Stefan Dubbeldam, said LNG and bio-LNG could play an important role in reducing emissions from maritime transport.
Axpo said it is developing a dedicated lower-emission fuel supply chain for the maritime and heavy-transport sectors. The company has also chartered Alisios LNG, a 12,500-cubic-metre bunkering vessel that began operations in Spain in March 2026.
The expansion of LNG bunkering services across Italy is expected to strengthen the availability of alternative marine fuels and support the shipping and cruise industries in their efforts to reduce emissions.
