Repsol has launched the commercial supply of co-processed, low-carbon marine fuels in Algeciras, leveraging its integrated value chain to deliver drop-in renewable options directly from its Petronor refinery. The operation marks the maiden voyage of the Bahía Candela, a next-generation bunkering vessel featuring multiproduct capabilities and a highly efficient diesel-electric propulsion system. By utilizing existing infrastructure, this deployment provides global shipowners with an immediate, cost-efficient, and scalable pathway to meet strict maritime decarbonization targets without requiring vessel modifications.
Madrid | June 18, 2026 – Spanish energy company Repsol has entered the low-carbon marine fuel supply market in the Port of Algeciras, launching commercial deliveries of co-processed marine fuels with renewable content and strengthening its position in the maritime energy transition through an integrated refinery-to-bunker supply chain.
The move was marked by the first commercial voyage of Repsol’s new-generation bunkering vessel Bahía Candela, which loaded co-processed marine fuel at the company’s Petronor refinery in Bilbao before commencing supply operations in Algeciras, one of the Mediterranean’s largest bunkering hubs.
The development represents a significant milestone for Repsol as it expands its marine fuel portfolio beyond conventional products and accelerates the deployment of lower-carbon solutions that can be used immediately by shipowners without requiring modifications to vessels or bunkering infrastructure.
Refinery-to-Vessel Supply Chain
Unlike many alternative marine fuel pathways that rely on dedicated production facilities or separate supply chains, Repsol’s approach is based on integrating renewable feedstocks directly into existing refinery operations. The fuel supplied in Algeciras is produced through co-processing, a refining method that combines renewable raw materials such as waste oils and other residues with conventional hydrocarbon streams during the refining process.
By leveraging existing refining assets, logistics networks and bunkering operations, Repsol aims to provide a scalable and cost-effective route for reducing lifecycle emissions from marine fuels while maintaining compatibility with today’s fleet. The first commercial voyage of Bahía Candela demonstrated the company’s integrated supply model, connecting fuel production at the Petronor refinery with final marine fuel delivery through its own bunkering infrastructure.
This refinery-integrated approach is gaining increasing attention across the marine fuels sector as suppliers seek practical decarbonization solutions that can be deployed immediately while the industry prepares for wider adoption of next-generation fuels such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.
Bahía Candela Begins Operations
Central to the launch is the Bahía Candela, a newly built bunkering vessel designed specifically for marine fuel supply operations. The vessel features multiproduct capabilities, allowing it to handle a variety of marine fuels while supporting future low-emission energy solutions.
According to Repsol, the vessel is equipped with diesel-electric propulsion and advanced energy storage systems designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions during bunkering activities. The deployment of a dedicated modern bunkering vessel provides Repsol with greater flexibility in serving shipowners operating in and around the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The Port of Algeciras remains a strategic bunkering location due to its position along major east-west trade routes connecting Europe, Asia and the Americas.
- Multiproduct Flexibility: Built with advanced multiproduct capabilities, the vessel is engineered to handle a diverse portfolio, allowing Repsol to progressively incorporate higher percentages of renewable content over time.
- Eco-Efficient Propulsion: The vessel features a sophisticated diesel-electric propulsion system paired with advanced energy storage solutions. This setup optimizes operational efficiency and minimizes localized emissions during bunkering maneuvers in port.
Co-Processed Fuels Gain Momentum
The launch highlights growing interest in co-processed fuels as a near-term decarbonization solution for shipping. Unlike some alternative fuels that require new engine technologies or dedicated storage infrastructure, co-processed marine fuels can be supplied through existing fuel systems and consumed by vessels without operational modifications.
This compatibility has positioned co-processing as an attractive option for shipowners seeking immediate emissions reductions while managing regulatory compliance and fuel transition costs. Industry participants increasingly view co-processing as a bridge solution capable of delivering lower-carbon marine fuels at scale by utilizing existing refinery assets and established fuel distribution networks.
As regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System place greater emphasis on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, demand for drop-in low-carbon fuels is expected to increase.
Why Co-Processing Matters for Shipowners:
- Zero Asset Modification: The resulting fuel is fully compatible with existing marine engines and port infrastructure.
- Immediate Compliance: It provides a scalable, cost-efficient pathway for shipowners looking to align with tightening FuelEU Maritime and IMO decarbonization trajectories today.
- Industrial Utilization: It leverages Repsol’s existing, highly sophisticated industrial assets rather than requiring entirely new, capital-intensive manufacturing facilities.
Strategic Expansion in Maritime Decarbonization
The introduction of low-carbon marine fuels in Algeciras forms part of Repsol’s broader strategy to strengthen its multi-energy offering for the shipping sector. By combining conventional marine fuels with renewable-content alternatives, the company is positioning itself to serve a diverse customer base with varying decarbonization requirements and operational profiles.
The deployment also reflects wider efforts by major energy companies to leverage existing industrial infrastructure as they develop scalable pathways toward lower-carbon fuel supply.
Repsol said the rollout in Algeciras is supported by a phased expansion of logistical and operational capabilities designed to accommodate an increasingly diverse marine fuel portfolio and progressively higher levels of renewable content.
Growing Role for Mediterranean Bunkering Hubs
The launch further reinforces Algeciras’ role as a key location in the evolving marine fuels landscape. As one of Europe’s largest bunkering ports, Algeciras is becoming an increasingly important center for the introduction of alternative and lower-carbon marine fuels.
Fuel suppliers are intensifying efforts to establish low-carbon fuel availability at major bunkering hubs where demand from international shipping can support commercial scale. For shipowners operating under mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the availability of drop-in low-carbon fuels at strategic ports offers an immediate pathway toward emissions reductions without requiring fleet-wide technological changes.
With the deployment of Bahía Candela and the start of co-processed fuel deliveries, Repsol has positioned itself among the growing number of suppliers seeking to meet that demand while advancing the maritime industry’s transition toward lower-carbon operations.
About Repsol
Repsol is a Madrid-headquartered global multi-energy provider operating in over 27 countries with 25,000 employees and 24 million customers. The company is transforming its industrial operations in the Iberian Peninsula into advanced multi-energy hubs to produce low-carbon solutions such as 100% renewable fuels, advancing toward a decarbonized energy future. As part of its binding target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 toward biofuels, circular economy feedstocks, and green hydrogen.
This industrial transformation is anchored by massive capital investments at facilities like the Petronor refinery in Bilbao, where Repsol is eliminating fuel oil production entirely and building a 100-MW renewable hydrogen electrolyzer complex (slated for 2029) alongside existing synthetic fuel demonstration facilities.
Source: Repsol