Axpo, a leading Swiss energy company and key player in LNG trading and supply, has successfully completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at Spain’s largest port, Algeciras. This milestone delivery marks a significant step in Axpo’s strategic expansion of small-scale LNG services across the Mediterranean, further solidifying the company’s position as a reliable partner for cleaner marine energy solutions.
5,000 Cubic Metres of LNG Supplied to MSC’s LNG-Powered Vessel
The operation was carried out using the Avenir Aspiration, a small-scale LNG bunker vessel with a capacity of 7,500 cubic metres, chartered by Axpo. Approximately 5,000 cubic metres of LNG were safely transferred to MSC’s LNG-fueled vessel Mariacristina during the ship-to-ship transfer at the Port of Algeciras. The delivery reinforces Axpo’s collaboration with MSC, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, and reflects the growing demand for LNG as a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to traditional marine fuels.
Follow-Up to Landmark Operation in Málaga
This latest development follows Axpo’s inaugural LNG bunkering operation in Spain, completed just a month earlier at the Port of Málaga, where around 5,800 cubic metres (2,800 metric tonnes) of LNG were supplied to another MSC vessel. That operation also marked a historic first for the Port of Málaga and introduced simultaneous operations (SimOps), where LNG bunkering took place while cargo loading and unloading continued—a first in Spain’s maritime fuel sector.
With the addition of Algeciras, Axpo is now operating in two of Spain’s key maritime logistics hubs, showcasing the scalability and reliability of its LNG bunkering capabilities. The company’s strategic roadmap includes further expansion to other major Spanish ports, including Valencia and Barcelona.
Strategic Growth in Small-Scale LNG
Axpo’s Head of Small-Scale LNG, Daniele Corti, underscored the significance of the Algeciras operation in advancing the company’s broader energy transition goals:
“This operation marks another significant milestone for our bunkering business. By expanding to a second Spanish port, we are continuing to implement Axpo’s ambitious small-scale LNG growth strategy and further strengthening our role as a reliable partner in the transition to cleaner marine energy.”
Axpo supports its bunkering operations with a fleet of two dedicated small-scale LNG vessels, with capacities of 7,500 and 12,500 cubic metres, respectively. These vessels are equipped to provide a full range of services including bunkering, break-bulk distribution, gas-up, and cool-down procedures—ensuring flexibility and efficiency for a broad range of maritime clients.
Spain: A Key LNG Logistics and Fueling Hub for Axpo
Spain continues to serve as a cornerstone in Axpo’s European LNG network. With world-class LNG import infrastructure and proximity to key Mediterranean shipping routes, the country offers an ideal platform for the company’s small-scale LNG services. Axpo’s activities in Spain are part of its broader LNG business, which recently surpassed 100 LNG cargo deliveries into Europe—equivalent to over 76 terawatt-hours (TWh) of natural gas.
As the maritime sector faces increasing regulatory and environmental pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, LNG is emerging as the most viable transition fuel. It offers immediate environmental benefits, including significant reductions in CO₂, NOₓ, SOₓ, and particulate matter compared to conventional heavy fuel oil.
Axpo’s Commitment to a Cleaner Maritime Future
Axpo continues to invest in innovative energy solutions to support the decarbonization of the shipping industry. The company’s expanding LNG portfolio reflects its broader mission to drive the energy transition in Europe and beyond.
About Axpo
Axpo is Switzerland’s largest energy producer and a leader in energy trading, with a strong focus on renewable energy solutions. Operating in over 30 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia, Axpo is dedicated to enabling a sustainable future through innovative energy solutions. The company is actively involved in midstream and downstream natural gas and LNG sectors, serving a diverse customer base ranging from SMEs to large industrial enterprises.
Source Axpo Iberia S.L.