Italy Conducts First Ship-to-Ship Bio-LNG Bunkering at Port of Genoa
Axpo and GNV completed Italy’s first ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering at the Port of Genoa, refueling the LNG-powered ferry GNV Virgo with 500 cubic meters of bio-LNG for its voyage to Palermo.
GENOA (P&GJ) — Axpo and Italian ferry operator GNV (MSC Group) have completed Italy’s first ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Genoa, marking a milestone in the country’s maritime decarbonization efforts.
The six-hour operation, supported by the Maritime Authority of Genoa, involved transferring 500 cubic meters of bio-LNG to the GNV Virgo, the first Italian long-distance ro-pax ferry powered by liquefied natural gas for regular service. The vessel will use the fuel on its return route to Palermo.
Produced from organic waste, bio-LNG is a renewable form of liquefied natural gas that significantly reduces lifecycle emissions compared with conventional marine fuels.
“This moment represents a true turning point for GNV in reducing the environmental impact of our fleet,” said Matteo Catani, GNV Chief Executive Officer. “The introduction of LNG into our daily operations not only significantly lowers emissions, but also allows us to gain hands-on experience with the technologies that will shape the future of European maritime transport.”
Catani added that bio-LNG availability remains limited and requires major investment in supply chain infrastructure to enable broader adoption.
Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi said the project underscores Genoa’s growing role in sustainable shipping. “That such an important development is taking place in Genoa, where Axpo’s 25-year presence in Italy began, makes that satisfaction even greater,” Demarchi said.
The GNV Virgo—a 52,300-ton vessel measuring 218 meters long and 29.6 meters wide—can carry up to 1,785 passengers and 2,770 linear meters of cargo. Its introduction on the Genoa–Palermo route is expected to cut emissions in both ports and expand Italy’s growing LNG bunkering network.
“This operation demonstrates our determination to pioneer sustainable LNG solutions across the Mediterranean market,” said Daniele Corti, Axpo’s Head of Small-Scale LNG. “Bio-LNG is essential to achieving global emissions targets while advancing a cleaner, more sustainable future for marine logistics.”
The operation builds on Axpo’s previous bio-LNG bunkering activities in the Iberian Peninsula, including ports in Málaga, Algeciras, and Sines.