Axpo has completed its first ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Barcelona, supplying Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ (MOL) vehicle carrier Lapis Ace via its LNG bunkering vessel Green Pearl. The milestone strengthens Axpo’s expanding alternative marine fuels network in Spain and highlights the growing role of bio-LNG in supporting maritime decarbonisation across the Mediterranean.
Barcelona | June 22, 2026 – Swiss energy company Axpo has successfully completed its first ship-to-ship bio-liquefied natural gas (bio-LNG) bunkering operation at the Port of Barcelona, supplying fuel to a vessel operated by Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). The milestone delivery further strengthens Spain’s position as an emerging hub for alternative marine fuels and highlights the growing adoption of lower-emission energy solutions across the maritime sector.
The operation involved the refuelling of the vehicle carrier Lapis Ace, owned and operated by MOL, using Axpo’s dedicated LNG bunkering vessel Green Pearl. The transfer marks Axpo’s inaugural ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering activity in Barcelona and represents another significant step in the company’s strategy to expand LNG and renewable LNG supply capabilities across key Mediterranean ports.
The latest operation follows successful LNG bunkering campaigns conducted by Axpo in the Spanish ports of Málaga and Algeciras, reinforcing the company’s growing footprint in Southern Europe’s marine fuel market.
Barcelona Joins Axpo’s Expanding Spanish Bunkering Network
The Barcelona operation is Axpo’s third major LNG bunkering milestone in Spain and demonstrates increasing demand from vessel operators seeking lower-carbon fuel alternatives to support decarbonisation targets. Industry stakeholders view Spain as one of Europe’s most strategically positioned LNG bunkering markets, benefiting from extensive regasification infrastructure, strong maritime connectivity, and increasing investment in alternative fuel logistics.
By extending bio-LNG supply services to Barcelona, Axpo has strengthened its ability to support vessel operators trading across the Mediterranean while providing greater flexibility for shipping companies seeking to reduce emissions without compromising operational performance.
“The refuelling operation with MOL in Barcelona represents another key moment for LNG adoption in Spain,” said Daniele Corti, Head of Small-Scale LNG at Axpo. “We’re not only developing infrastructure. We’re proving that alternative marine fuels can be operationally reliable and cost-effective. As demand for LNG and bio-LNG continues to increase, Axpo’s growing operations in Málaga, Algeciras and now Barcelona demonstrate that this is no longer a niche market. It is a critical stepping stone in the maritime industry’s transition to a lower-carbon future.”
Strengthening Partnership with MOL
The delivery also builds on Axpo’s expanding relationship with MOL, one of the world’s largest shipping companies and a major investor in alternative-fuel vessel technologies. Axpo has been selected to supply bio-LNG to MOL vessels operating across the Mediterranean region, providing bunkering services from strategic Spanish ports including Málaga and Barcelona.
The agreement expands an existing Western European marine fuel supply partnership between the two companies that began in March 2025 and reflects a broader industry trend toward long-term fuel procurement arrangements designed to support decarbonisation objectives.
For MOL, bio-LNG represents an increasingly important component of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining operational efficiency across its global fleet. Vehicle carriers such as the Lapis Ace are among a growing number of vessels capable of utilising LNG-based fuels, enabling operators to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations while positioning themselves for future emissions reduction requirements.
Bio-LNG Gains Momentum as Maritime Decarbonisation Tool
The successful Barcelona operation underscores the growing role of bio-LNG within the maritime industry’s energy transition. Produced from renewable organic feedstocks including agricultural residues, biomass and waste materials, bio-LNG offers significantly lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fossil-based marine fuels.
As shipping companies face mounting pressure from regulators, cargo owners and investors to reduce emissions, bio-LNG is emerging as a practical near-term solution that can leverage existing LNG infrastructure while delivering measurable environmental benefits.
Industry experts note that bio-LNG can be supplied through the same bunkering networks and fuel systems already developed for conventional LNG, making it an attractive pathway for operators seeking immediate emissions reductions without requiring extensive vessel modifications.
Green Pearl Driving Regional LNG Growth
Central to Axpo’s Mediterranean expansion strategy is the Green Pearl, a 7,500-cubic-metre small-scale LNG bunkering vessel that has become a key asset in the company’s marine fuel operations. The vessel enables flexible ship-to-ship fuel transfers across major ports and shipping corridors, helping reduce turnaround times while improving the efficiency of bunkering activities.
Axpo’s first LNG bunkering operation in Málaga was completed in April 2025, followed by additional deliveries in Algeciras and Portugal’s Port of Sines. The company has also secured authorisation to conduct LNG bunkering activities at the Port of Valencia, further extending its reach within the Iberian Peninsula.
The continued deployment of Green Pearl reflects growing confidence in LNG and renewable LNG demand across Europe’s maritime sector as vessel owners increasingly seek reliable alternative fuel supply networks.
Broader European Expansion
Axpo’s investments in maritime fuels extend beyond Spain. In December 2025, the company completed Italy’s first ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation, marking another significant development in Southern Europe’s alternative fuel infrastructure landscape.
Further strengthening its position, Axpo oversaw the launch of the advanced bunkering vessel Alisios LNG at the Port of Huelva in southwestern Spain in March 2026. The vessel, chartered by Axpo, is expected to support increasing demand for LNG and renewable LNG supply services throughout the region. Together, these developments highlight Axpo’s ambition to establish a comprehensive LNG and bio-LNG bunkering network capable of serving major shipping routes across the Mediterranean and Western Europe.
LNG’s Role in the Energy Transition
While shipping continues to evaluate a range of future fuels, including methanol, ammonia and hydrogen, LNG remains one of the most commercially mature alternatives currently available. Compared with conventional marine fuels, LNG eliminates sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions, reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 90%, and can lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 25%.
The introduction of bio-LNG further enhances these environmental benefits by incorporating renewable feedstocks into the fuel supply chain, helping operators achieve deeper greenhouse gas reductions while utilising existing LNG-capable vessels and infrastructure.
As international shipping works toward achieving global emissions reduction targets, many industry participants view LNG and bio-LNG as critical transition fuels that can provide immediate environmental gains while longer-term zero-carbon technologies continue to mature.
Industry Collaboration Key to Decarbonisation
Axpo stated that its long-term investment strategy, including the ten-year charter of the Green Pearl and ongoing expansion of its bio-LNG portfolio, reflects its belief that collaboration between energy suppliers, port authorities and shipowners will be essential to meeting future climate objectives.
By partnering with major shipping companies such as MOL and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the company aims to accelerate adoption of lower-emission marine fuels and support the maritime industry’s transition toward a more sustainable operating model.
The successful bio-LNG delivery to Lapis Ace in Barcelona represents another tangible example of how infrastructure development, fuel availability and industry partnerships are converging to reshape the future marine fuels landscape across Europe.
About Axpo
Axpo is driven by a single purpose: to enable a sustainable future through innovative energy solutions. Axpo is Switzerland’s largest energy producer and an international leader in energy trading and the marketing of solar and wind power. The company combines the experience and expertise of approximately 7,500 employees who are passionate about innovation, collaboration, and driving meaningful change. Using cutting-edge technologies, Axpo develops innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers in more than 30 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Source: AXPO