Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has expanded its bio-LNG bunkering network in Europe by signing new supply agreements with Titan in Northwest Europe and Axpo in the Mediterranean, enabling renewable LNG supply for its LNG-fueled car carriers at ports including Barcelona and Malaga. The move strengthens MOL’s access to certified low-carbon fuel across key European trade routes and supports its strategy to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions using existing LNG infrastructure.
Tokyo | June 18, 2026 – Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has expanded its European bio-LNG bunkering network after signing new fuel supply agreements covering both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, marking another significant step in the company’s decarbonization strategy for its growing fleet of LNG-fueled car carriers.
Under the agreements, Amsterdam-based Titan, part of the Molgas Energy Group, will continue supplying bio-LNG in Northwest Europe, while Swiss energy company Axpo will provide bio-LNG bunkering services in key Mediterranean ports, including Malaga and Barcelona in Spain.
The latest arrangements extend MOL’s bio-LNG supply footprint beyond its existing Northwest European operations and establish what the company describes as a stable and continuous fuel supply framework across two strategically important shipping regions.
The move comes as shipowners increasingly seek immediate emissions reduction solutions that can be deployed through existing LNG infrastructure while longer-term alternative fuel technologies continue to mature.
Expanding Bio-LNG Availability for Car Carrier Operations
MOL said the agreements will enable regular bio-LNG supply for its LNG-powered automobile carriers operating throughout European trade routes. The Mediterranean agreement represents a notable expansion of the company’s bio-LNG programme, which initially commenced in Western Europe in March 2025 through a supply arrangement with Titan.
By adding Mediterranean bunkering locations, MOL gains greater operational flexibility for its vehicle carrier fleet while reducing dependence on conventional marine fuels across a wider geographic area.
The company has been steadily increasing the use of LNG-fueled vessels within its fleet, viewing LNG propulsion as a transitional platform that can support future adoption of lower-carbon methane-based fuels including bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, also known as e-methane.
The newly established supply network allows vessels to access certified renewable methane fuel during routine port calls, minimizing operational disruption while supporting emissions reduction targets.
Bio-LNG Positioned as Immediate Decarbonization Solution
Bio-LNG is produced from renewable feedstocks such as livestock manure, agricultural residues, sewage sludge, food waste and other organic materials. Unlike conventional fossil LNG, bio-LNG can achieve substantial lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions because the carbon released during combustion originates from biological sources that have recently absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide.
One of the principal advantages of bio-LNG is its compatibility with existing LNG-fueled vessels and bunkering infrastructure. This enables shipowners to reduce emissions without investing in entirely new propulsion systems or fuel supply networks. Industry stakeholders increasingly regard bio-LNG as one of the most readily available alternative fuels capable of delivering immediate emissions reductions while supporting compliance with evolving environmental regulations.
According to MOL, the bio-LNG supplied under the programme will achieve a lifecycle carbon intensity of -15 gCO2e/MJ or lower, measured from production through final consumption.
The company estimates that replacing one metric tonne of conventional heavy fuel oil with the certified bio-LNG fuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4.5 tonnes on a lifecycle basis.
ISCC-EU Certified Fuel Supply
MOL emphasized that the bio-LNG supplied under the agreements will be certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU) framework. The certification scheme, established under the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), verifies that renewable fuels meet sustainability requirements and greenhouse gas reduction thresholds throughout their production and supply chains.
Certification has become increasingly important for marine fuel buyers as regulatory frameworks such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime place greater emphasis on verified lifecycle emissions performance. The availability of certified renewable fuel is expected to play a growing role in helping shipowners demonstrate compliance with emerging carbon regulations and sustainability reporting requirements.
Strategic Importance for European Bunkering Markets
The agreements also highlight the continued expansion of bio-LNG availability within Europe’s marine fuel sector. Northwest Europe has emerged as a leading region for renewable LNG bunkering, supported by extensive LNG infrastructure, strong regulatory incentives and growing demand from shipowners seeking lower-carbon fuel solutions.
The addition of Mediterranean supply points reflects increasing market maturity and broadening geographical coverage for renewable methane fuels.
Ports such as Barcelona and Malaga are becoming increasingly important hubs for alternative marine fuels as shipping companies prepare for tightening emissions requirements across European waters.
For fuel suppliers, securing long-term offtake agreements with major shipowners provides an important mechanism for scaling renewable fuel production and supporting investment in future supply chains.
Part of MOL’s Wider Alternative Fuel Strategy
The latest agreements form part of MOL Group’s broader environmental strategy aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Under its environmental vision, the company has identified alternative fuels as a key pillar of its decarbonization roadmap.
While LNG remains an important transitional fuel within the strategy, MOL is simultaneously pursuing a diversified portfolio of next-generation marine fuels.
The company continues to evaluate and deploy biofuels, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen technologies alongside LNG-based solutions, reflecting growing industry recognition that multiple fuel pathways will likely be required to achieve deep decarbonization across different vessel segments.
MOL stated that it intends to further expand the geographic scope, supply volume and utilization of bio-LNG in the coming years while supporting the development of broader clean fuel supply chains. The company said these efforts are intended not only to reduce emissions from its own operations but also to contribute to industry-wide progress toward global shipping decarbonization objectives.
Industry Transition Gathering Pace
The announcement underscores a wider trend within the shipping industry as operators increasingly turn to renewable fuels capable of leveraging existing infrastructure. With regulatory pressure intensifying and carbon pricing mechanisms expanding, bio-LNG is emerging as an increasingly attractive option for LNG-powered vessels seeking immediate emissions reductions.
As availability grows across major bunkering hubs and certification frameworks become more established, industry observers expect renewable methane fuels to play an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between today’s fleet requirements and the longer-term transition toward fully carbon-neutral maritime energy systems.
For MOL, the expansion into Mediterranean bio-LNG supply represents another milestone in that journey, strengthening fuel accessibility for its car carrier fleet while reinforcing its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.
About Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines – MOL is a global leader in shipping, operating over 800 ships worldwide. Its diverse fleet includes bulk carriers, liquefied natural gas carriers, Ro-Ro car carrier ships, and oil tankers, among others. Beyond traditional shipping, MOL also engages in social infrastructure businesses, including real estate, terminal and logistics, and offshore wind power. With one of the largest merchant fleets and 140 years of history, MOL aims to be a resilient corporate group that provides new value to all stakeholders.
Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines