Edison, a leading energy company, announces that it has completed the liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling in the port of Trieste. The ship-to-ship bunkering operation is the first to take place in the Adriatic Sea and the first to be carried out by Edison using the LNG carrier Ravenna Knutsen. This vessel has been supplying the Ravenna LNG coastal depot (DIG), which is part of the Group’s integrated logistics chain and contributes to the decarbonization of road and maritime transport, since 2021.
The operation, which has just concluded, marks the beginning of more ship-to-ship bunkering operations in the port of Trieste.
“We are proud to support our clients on their decarbonization path and to announce the first ship-to-ship LNG refueling in the Adriatic Sea. I would like to thank all the authorities, particularly the Port Authority of Trieste, who made this important milestone possible,” said Fabrizio Mattana, Executive Vice President for Gas Assets at Edison.
“After the commissioning of the coastal depot in Ravenna, which has become a reference in Italy for LNG supply in road transport, today’s operation positions Edison as the leader in the LNG supply market for the maritime segment. This sector has high potential for emission reduction, and LNG is the available and competitive solution today. To further consolidate our market presence, we are also developing a second LNG coastal depot in Southern Italy and a second LNG carrier ready for bunkering operations. These are significant steps that confirm our commitment to sustainable mobility in Italy and the Mediterranean Sea.” Fabrizio Mattana Concluded.
The Ravenna Knutsen is a unique small LNG carrier with extreme operational flexibility, available to Edison under a contract with Norwegian shipowner Knutsen OAS Shipping. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries at the Mipo shipyard in South Korea, the LNG carrier can transport up to 30,000 cubic meters of LNG via three high-nickel steel tanks insulated to withstand cryogenic temperatures. The ship features a double set of cargo manifolds (both low and high), granting it maximum operational versatility, allowing it to operate with storage facilities and vessels of different sizes.
LNG is considered an alternative fuel, aligning with European and international energy transition commitments. It achieves significant reductions in several emission factors by eliminating sulfur oxides and particulate matter (PM) and reducing nitrogen and carbon dioxide emissions. LNG ensures compliance with the limits imposed by the International Maritime Organization for vessels transiting sulfur emission control areas (SECA areas), which the Mediterranean is set to join on 1 May 2025.
About Edison
Edison is a leading energy company with 140 years of history, making it Europe’s oldest operator in the sector. Founded in Milan in December 1883, the company spearheaded the electrification of Italy, contributing significantly to the country’s social, cultural, economic, and industrial progress. Today, Edison employs over 5,500 people and operates in Italy and Europe in renewable and low-carbon generation, natural gas procurement and sales, and sustainable mobility. Through Edison Energia and Edison Next, it provides energy, environmental, and value-added services to customers, businesses, local communities, and the public administration.
The Group is at the forefront of the energy transition challenge, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and EU decarbonization policies. Edison boasts a highly flexible and efficient electricity generation fleet, including 200 hydroelectric, wind, solar, and natural gas combined cycle thermoelectric power plants with a total capacity of about 7 GW. Edison supplies LNG and natural gas to the country through its large and diversified portfolio of 12.6 billion cubic meters per year. In 2021, Edison established the EOS (Edison Orizzonte Sociale) Foundation, a corporate foundation that enhances its social commitment by leveraging its people and skills to contribute to the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Source Edison