Axpo Completes First Bio-LNG Bunkering in Valencia | Mariner News
Axpo has successfully completed its inaugural LNG bunkering operation in Valencia, Spain, supplying a container vessel with a fuel blend featuring over 50% bio-LNG. This marks a significant expansion of the energy company’s Spanish bunkering network and underscores the growing viability of advanced low-carbon marine fuels.
The ship-to-ship transfer was carried out on Tuesday by Axpo’s 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel, Alisios. This operation makes Valencia the fourth Spanish port where Axpo has supplied LNG, building on existing deliveries in Málaga, Algeciras, and Barcelona.
Daniele Corti, Axpo’s Head of Small-Scale LNG, affirmed that the operation “further strengthens our presence in the LNG market, serving customers in a growing number of key European ports.”
The substantial bio-LNG component moves beyond conventional LNG as a transition fuel, showcasing an immediate, scalable pathway to deep decarbonisation for LNG-powered tonnage. This provides a clearer long-term emissions reduction trajectory for shipowners and charterers investing in gas-fuelled vessels, offering a more robust answer to future regulatory pressures and carbon intensity targets.
For Valencia, the introduction of high-blend bio-LNG bunkering capacity elevates its strategic position as a preferred port for vessels seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, enhancing its competitiveness within the Mediterranean bunkering landscape.
The Port Authority of Valencia had previously granted six-year LNG bunker supply authorisations to both Axpo Iberia and Shell Western LNG in May. This pre-emptive regulatory support suggests a concerted effort by the port to foster a robust and competitive alternative fuel supply market, anticipating rising demand for greener bunkers. Axpo’s deployment of a 12,500 m3 dedicated bunkering vessel for this expanding network indicates strong market confidence in the enduring demand for LNG and its bio-variants across major European trade arteries.
