Vilma Oil Med has strengthened Ceuta’s bunkering capabilities with the next-generation Maya Cosulich, a methanol-capable IMO II chemical tanker. The upgrade positions the port as a strategic hub for alternative fuels and decarbonized shipping across the Mediterranean.
Ceuta, Spain | February 18, 2026 – The Mediterranean bunkering sector reached a historic turning point this week as Vilma Oil Med, the Spanish bunkering arm of TFG Marine, officially commissioned the Maya Cosulich into service at the Port of Ceuta. This arrival represents the most significant fleet upgrade in the Strait of Gibraltar’s history, positioning the TFG-Vilma alliance as a leading force in the era of decarbonized shipping.
The inaugural ceremony, held at the España pier, brought together the maritime community, including the Harbour Master and Port Authority leadership. The event celebrated not just a new vessel, but the culmination of a three-year strategic plan combining the 2024 acquisition of Vilma Oil Med, the 2025 infrastructure expansion, and now the world’s first methanol-powered IMO II chemical bunker tanker. Together, these developments have transformed Ceuta into a high-tech hub for the green energy transition.
Navigating the 2026 Regulatory Landscape
With the 100% phase-in of EU ETS carbon costs in 2026, shipowners face unprecedented pressure to reduce compliance costs. Ceuta’s fiscal advantages, combined with its biofuel and methanol capabilities, offer a strategic lifeline:
- FuelEU Maritime Compliance: Access to B100 biofuels and green methanol allows vessels to meet GHG intensity reduction targets without engine modifications.
- EU ETS Mitigation: Ceuta’s status as a non-EU port for certain regulations enables competitive pricing and potential cost avoidance compared with mainland European ports.
A Technical Titan: Maya Cosulich Specifications
The diesel-electric arrangement, combined with battery capacity, enables reduced-emission operations during bunker transfers. The vessel’s generators are capable of operating on methanol, lowering lifecycle emissions associated with the bunkering process itself.
Built at the Taizhou Maple Leaf shipyard and delivered via Singapore in December 2025, the 7,990 DWT vessel is designed to eliminate the “compliance anxiety” for modern shipowners:
- Next-Gen Propulsion: Diesel-electric system with 5 MWh onboard battery capacity for zero-emission bunker operations.
- Dual-Fuel Methanol Capability: Generators designed by SeaTech Solutions can run on green methanol, reducing carbon footprint.
- Alternative Fuel Multi-Tasker: IMO II chemical tanker capable of carrying and supplying methanol and biofuel blends up to B100.
- Digital Transparency: Equipped with two ISO 22192-certified Mass Flow Meters (MFM), ensuring total volumetric accuracy and eliminating the “cappuccino effect.”
Its IMO II classification permits carriage of methanol and advanced biofuels, expanding Ceuta’s supply range beyond traditional HSFO, VLSFO and MGO.
The installation of certified MFMs aligns with Ceuta’s 2025 mandate requiring mass flow metering for bunker deliveries, a measure aimed at enhancing transparency and eliminating volumetric discrepancies.
The Ceuta Advantage: Infrastructure Expansion Underpins Growth
The vessel’s arrival follows a broader infrastructure expansion programme completed over the past two years.
| Infrastructure Asset | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Shore Storage | 84,000 cbm | 120,000 cbm |
| Fuel Grades | HSFO, VLSFO, MGO | HSFO, VLSFO, MGO, Biofuel (to B100), Methanol |
| Measurement | Conventional Metering | Mandatory ISO 22192 MFM |
| Delivery | Primarily Barge | Enhanced Ex-Pipe & Barge |
Storage capacity at Ceuta has increased to 120,000 cubic metres, providing supply resilience for the estimated 100,000+ vessels transiting the Strait annually. In parallel, expanded ex-pipe capability at the España pier enables faster alongside deliveries, reducing port time for vessels calling directly at berth.
Strategic Positioning in the Western Mediterranean
The Western Mediterranean bunkering landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with ports in Spain, Gibraltar and North Africa positioning themselves as transition hubs for alternative marine fuels.
Methanol bunkering infrastructure in the region remains limited but is expected to expand as dual-fuel methanol vessels enter service in greater numbers. By introducing methanol-capable tonnage at this stage, Vilma Oil Med and TFG Marine are positioning Ceuta among the early movers in the regional alternative fuel market.
Ernesto Fernández-Maquieira, Director of Vilma Oil Med, commented:
“The arrival of Maya Cosulich represents a significant step forward for our operations in Ceuta and the wider Strait. This next-generation vessel enhances our ability to deliver safe, efficient and transparent marine fuel supply, while supporting the growing demand for methanol and advanced biofuels.”
Port of Ceuta: A Century of Experience, Reborn
The Port of Ceuta has been bunkering ships for over 100 years. Now, the partnership between the Port Authority, Vilma Oil Med, and the global expertise of TFG Marine (a joint venture between Trafigura, Frontline, and Golden Ocean) has catapulted this historic port into the 21st century.
For shipowners, the TFG-Vilma operation offers more than just fuel, it provides a competitive survival strategy amid rising environmental regulations. In 2026 maritime logistics, the Maya Cosulich is not just a tanker, but a strategic edge.
The Partnership: Local Agility Meets Global Might
The Port of Ceuta is a critical Mediterranean gateway between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. With over 100,000 annual transits, it has evolved into a technology and energy hub, leading the regional energy transition with:
- Mandatory Mass Flow Meters (MFM) ISO 22192-certified ensuring volumetric transparency.
- Expansion of shore-side fuel storage capacity
- Rapid Turnaround, with modernized ex-pipe delivery and efficient anchorage operations.
- Green Corridor Infrastructure, supplying biofuels (up to B100) and methanol.
The port operates under Mediterranean Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements and maintains ISO 14001 environmental certification, reinforcing its commitment to regulatory compliance and sustainable maritime operations.
Vilma Oil Med, operating in Ceuta for 18 years, delivers over 1,500 vessel supplies annually and now combines local agility with global supply chain security. combining local knowledge with TFG’s global supply security.
TFG Marine, born from Trafigura, Frontline, and Golden Ocean, supplies over 10 million metric tonnes of fuel globally and is equipping Ceuta with 21st-century technology to lead the Mediterranean’s energy transition.
Fratelli Cosulich Group: The Italian shipowning group and owner of the Maya Cosulich, a pioneer in developing sustainable marine energy solutions.
Source: Vilma Oil Med | Port of Ceuta | TFG Marine