Energy company Axpo has completed its first ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation in the port of Barcelona, supplying Mitsui OSK Lines’ vehicle carrier Lapis Ace from Axpo’s bunkering vessel Green Pearl. The operation marks a notable step forward in the development of alternative marine fuel infrastructure at one of the Mediterranean’s key commercial ports.
Operation Details and Significance
The bunkering was carried out vessel-to-vessel, with Axpo’s Green Pearl transferring bio-liquefied natural gas directly to MOL’s Lapis Ace. For Axpo, this represented its inaugural ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering call in Barcelona, underlining the company’s expanding role as a supplier of alternative marine fuels in the region.
For Mitsui OSK Lines, the operation reflects the Japanese shipping major’s continued engagement with lower-carbon fuel options across its fleet operations. Bio-LNG, produced from biological feedstocks rather than fossil natural gas, offers the potential for significant lifecycle carbon reductions compared to conventional marine fuels, making it an increasingly relevant option for operators managing their emissions footprint under evolving IMO regulations.
Bio-LNG as an Alternative Fuel Option
Bio-LNG has attracted growing interest from the shipping sector as a drop-in alternative to fossil LNG. Because it can be handled using existing LNG infrastructure — including bunkering vessels, storage, and onboard fuel systems — bio-LNG presents a relatively accessible route for LNG-ready vessels to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions without requiring additional capital investment in new equipment.
This compatibility with established LNG supply chains is a key factor driving adoption, particularly as operators seek practical pathways to compliance with tightening international emission standards. The fuel’s carbon intensity credentials, however, depend heavily on feedstock origin and the certification standards applied, which remain areas of active industry and regulatory development.
The Barcelona operation also highlights the port’s growing profile as a hub for alternative fuel bunkering services in the western Mediterranean. As shipping companies explore options beyond conventional heavy fuel oil and marine diesel, port infrastructure and the availability of reliable bunkering partners become critical enablers of fleet decarbonisation strategies.
Implications for Bulk Carrier and Shipping Operators
While the Lapis Ace is a vehicle carrier, the underlying dynamics of this operation are directly relevant to operations and safety professionals across all vessel types, including bulk carriers. The expansion of bio-LNG bunkering availability at major European ports represents a practical development for operators of LNG-capable vessels seeking to demonstrate emissions progress to charterers, cargo owners, and regulators alike.
Ship-to-ship bunkering operations for LNG and bio-LNG require rigorous safety planning, coordinated mooring arrangements, and adherence to established bunkering procedures. As the number of these operations grows across European ports, the operational experience accumulated by suppliers such as Axpo and their vessel crews contributes to the broader normalisation of alternative fuel handling at scale.
For fleet managers and technical superintendents evaluating future fuel procurement strategies, operations such as this one in Barcelona provide useful reference points. The involvement of a major operator like MOL signals continued institutional confidence in bio-LNG as a viable near-term fuel pathway, even as the broader industry continues to assess longer-term alternatives including ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen.
Conclusion
Axpo’s first bio-LNG ship-to-ship bunkering in Barcelona, supplying MOL’s Lapis Ace from the Green Pearl, adds to a growing body of evidence that alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure is maturing at key European ports. For bulk carrier operators with LNG-capable tonnage or those planning future newbuildings, monitoring the pace of bio-LNG availability across major bunkering hubs will be an important element of fuel strategy planning in the years ahead.