Mein Schiff Relax leads first BioLNG bunkering operation at Port of Barcelona

The "Mein Schiff Relax", operated by TUI Cruises, has become the first cruise ship to receive a ship-to-ship supply of bioLNG at the Port of Barcelona, marking a significant milestone in sustainable maritime operations.

On Saturday, 26 July, the barge Haugesund Knutsen - operated by Knutsen Scale Gas and chartered by Shell - delivered 1,875 m³ of bioLNG to the vessel from the Enagás regasification plant located within the port.

This is the port’s second bioLNG operation, but the first conducted via barge rather than tanker truck, dramatically increasing fuelling efficiency and demonstrating the viability of large-scale, low-emission fuel supply.

BioLNG (liquefied biomethane) is a 100% renewable fuel derived from organic waste. Recognised by the European Commission as a sustainable energy source, bioLNG reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 100% depending on the waste source, supporting the circular economy and aligning with EU decarbonisation goals, including those outlined in the FuelEU Maritime Directive.

With properties identical to fossil LNG, bioLNG can be used in existing LNG-powered vessels - such as the *Mein Schiff Relax* - without technical modifications. This enables a direct shift from transitional fuels like fossil LNG, which already reduces CO₂ emissions by 20% compared to conventional marine fuels, to fully renewable alternatives.

In 2024, 23% of Port of Barcelona calls were made by LNG-fuelled vessels. Moving toward bioLNG as a standard fuel source significantly enhances the port’s sustainability profile and helps facilitate broader adoption of net-zero emissions fuels in the shipping industry.

This latest operation also reinforces TUI Cruises’ Climate Protection Roadmap, which aims for climate neutrality by 2050. The roadmap focuses on four key pillars: expanding the use of alternative fuels, deploying green shore power, enhancing energy efficiency, and optimising route planning.

As the first LNG-powered ship in the TUI Cruises fleet, the "Mein Schiff Relax" exemplifies this transition. Future fleet members, like the recently launched "Mein Schiff 7", will be capable of operating on next-generation fuels such as green methanol.

TUI Cruises is also investing in advanced environmental technologies, including catalytic converters, exhaust gas scrubbers, digital routing tools and automated hull-cleaning systems.

The bunkering operation was described as a "kilometre zero" activity, as it was entirely localised within the Port of Barcelona. The bioLNG was sourced and supplied from Enagás' regasification terminal at the Energy Wharf.

The facility recently received ISCC EU certification, verifying its compliance with the environmental, social, and traceability standards of the European Commission—ensuring the authenticity of the fuel as certified bioLNG.

This ship-to-ship supply method not only speeds up refuelling—delivering over 15 times more fuel than a road tanker - but also represents a scalable model for other ports seeking to support the decarbonisation of maritime transport through infrastructure innovation and renewable fuel adoption.