Enilive has expanded its “Green Corridor” with the launch of HVO barge deliveries in Venice. The 100% renewable supply provides cruise and cargo operators an immediate drop-in solution for FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS compliance.
Venice, Italy | February 2026 – In a significant move for the Mediterranean bunkering market, Enilive, the Eni subsidiary dedicated to sustainable mobility, officially launched barge deliveries of 100% pure Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in the Port of Venice this February.
The expansion into Venice follows successful rollouts in the ports of Genoa and Ravenna, effectively creating a strategic green corridor for shipowners seeking to comply with tightening European environmental mandates.
The Venice Strategic Shift
Venice is no longer just a historic destination; it has become a focal point for the maritime energy transition. The port’s unique landscape, defined by its proximity to fragile ecosystems and its status as a premier global cruise hub, makes it a natural laboratory for decarbonization.
- Proximity to Production: Venice (Porto Marghera) is home to one of Enilive’s flagship biorefineries. Supplying HVO in Venice minimizes “well-to-wake” emissions by reducing the logistics and transport distances of the fuel itself.
- The “Green” Cruise Pressure: With Venice’s strict regulations regarding large vessel transit and environmental impact, cruise lines are under immense pressure to utilize fuels that reduce particulate matter and CO2.
- A Multi-Modal Hub: As a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, Venice serves a high volume of general cargo and tankers that are now captured under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Technical Logistics and Bunkering Operations
Enilive is deploying a fleet of six dedicated bunker barges to service the Venice port area. These vessels are optimized for the specific navigational requirements of the Venetian lagoon and its industrial channels.
In terms of operational capacity, these barges offer a maximum stem size of 400 tonnes per delivery. This allows for high-precision bunkering, catering to both smaller domestic vessels and providing supplemental “top-off” volumes for larger international ships.
Unlike many biofuel offerings that require blending with traditional fossil distillates, Enilive’s maritime HVO is supplied as HVO100 (100% pure). The fuel is produced using Eni’s proprietary Ecofining™ technology using feedstocks that are strictly 100% renewable, primarily sourced from waste such as used cooking oils (UCO), animal fats, and residues from the agri-food industry.
Decarbonization and Regulatory Compliance
The maritime industry is currently navigating a complex regulatory landscape. Enilive’s HVO is a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can replace traditional Marine Diesel (MGO) without requiring engine modifications or CAPEX-heavy retrofits.
| Regulation | Impact of Enilive HVO |
| FuelEU Maritime | Helps meet the mandatory reduction in GHG intensity (starting at 2% in 2025 and scaling upwards). |
| EU ETS | Lowers the carbon profile of the voyage, directly reducing the number of allowances (EUA) a company must purchase. |
| RED III | Aligns with European Renewable Energy Directive criteria, offering a 60% to 90% reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions. |
“Enilive HVO provides an immediate solution for the decarbonization of maritime transport,” company stated. “Because it is produced from waste-based feedstocks, it enables a massive reduction in climate-altering emissions calculated throughout the entire supply chain.”
Market Demand Across Segments
The uptake of HVO in the Italian market is being driven by a diverse range of vessel segments. Enilive reports active demand and supply agreements with:
- Cruise Lines: Essential for maintaining “green” credentials in sensitive port areas and urban centers.
- Containerships: Offsetting the high costs of the EU ETS on major trade routes.
- Oil/Chemical Tankers: Providing a compliant solution for regional Mediterranean trading.
As of early 2026, Enilive’s total biorefining capacity stands at approximately 1.65 million tonnes per year, with plans to exceed 5 million tonnes by 2030, supported by new projects in Livorno, Malaysia, and South Korea.
HVO: A Strategic Asset for Maritime Compliance
The expansion of HVO bunkering across Italian ports provides vessel operators with a practical, “drop-in” solution to meet tightening global maritime regulations. As the FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS frameworks increase the cost of traditional fossil fuels, Enilive’s HVO supply chain positions the company as a critical facilitator in the industry’s shift toward renewable energy.
About Eni – Powering the Transition
Eni is an Italy-based global integrated energy company committed to a low-carbon future. The company’s strategy centers on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 through resource optimization, expanded renewable capacity, and circular economy initiatives. Eni focuses heavily on the production of biofuels from waste and agricultural residues, leveraging its global footprint to facilitate the energy transition across multiple sectors.
Enilive – The Low-Carbon Carrier
Enilive, a wholly owned Eni subsidiary, is a leading producer and distributor of low-carbon energy carriers for transport. As Europe’s second-largest HVO producer, Enilive operates over 5,000 service stations and provides a suite of ready-to-use fuels, including hydrogen, bio-LPG, and biomethane. Its maritime expansion is a core component of its mission to provide immediate, scalable decarbonization solutions.
Source: Eni