The Mein Schiff Relax leads the first bioLNG supply to a cruise ship at the Port of Barcelona
The Mein Schiff Relax, the inaugural InTUItion class vessel operated by Hamburg-based TUI Cruises, has completed the first ship-to-ship bioLNG supply operation at the Port of Barcelona, marking a significant milestone in sustainable maritime fuel adoption.
The operation took place on Saturday, 26th July, when the barge Haugesund Knutsen, operated by Knutsen Scale Gas and chartered by Shell, supplied 1,875 cubic metres of bioLNG from the regasification plant operated by Enagás at the port. The ship-to-ship transfer represents a substantial advancement from previous bioLNG supply methods used at the facility.
This marked the second bioLNG supply operation at the Port of Barcelona, following an earlier operation in March when shipping company Baleària loaded bioLNG onto one of its vessels via tanker truck. The transition to barge-based supply significantly accelerates the loading process, increasing fuel loading capacity by more than 15 times compared to truck-based delivery methods.
Environmental Benefits and Fuel Characteristics
BioLNG, or liquefied biomethane, is recognised as a sustainable fuel by the European Commission due to its production process from organic waste materials. The utilisation of organic waste enables greenhouse gas emission reductions of between 70% and 100 percent, depending on the origin of the organic matter, throughout the complete production and consumption cycle.
The fuel maintains identical characteristics to fossil LNG, enabling its use by any vessel equipped to operate with LNG technology. This compatibility is particularly relevant for modern cruise ships operating at the Port of Barcelona, with 23 percent of calls registered in 2024 being LNG-equipped vessels that regularly receive LNG supplies.
Industry Transition Impact
The transition from fossil LNG—which reduces CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared to traditional marine fuels—to sustainable bioLNG represents a significant qualitative advancement in the maritime energy transition and greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts. The circular economy process inherent in bioLNG production enables the decarbonisation of ship operations in alignment with commitments established under the FuelEU Maritime Directive.
TUI Cruises Climate Strategy
The successful bunkering operation aligns with TUI Cruises’ Climate Protection Roadmap, which targets climate neutrality by 2050 through a comprehensive strategy based on four main pillars: increased alternative fuel usage, green shore power adoption, energy efficiency improvements, and optimised voyage planning.
The Mein Schiff Relax serves as the flagship of this transition as the fleet’s first LNG-powered vessel, operating almost exclusively on LNG. All new vessels are equipped with dual-fuel engines and prepared for next-generation fuels, with the recently added Mein Schiff 7 capable of utilising green methanol.
Broader Sustainability Initiatives
TUI Cruises’ environmental efforts extend beyond alternative fuels to include catalytic converters, exhaust gas scrubbers, digital routing tools, and investments in efficiency technologies such as advanced hull coatings and cleaning robots. These comprehensive measures support the company’s systematic approach to maritime decarbonisation whilst maintaining operational effectiveness across its fleet operations.
For more information visit www.portdebarcelona.cat
