Repsol Supplies Co-Processed B30-MGO to NCLH Ship | Mariner News
Energy firm Repsol has supplied co-processed B30-MGO biofuel to a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) ship in Barcelona, Spain. This delivery marks the operational commencement of an eight-year renewable fuel agreement signed between the two companies in 2025.
The long-term deal commits Repsol to providing a range of low-carbon marine fuels, including biofuels and green methanol, to NCLH vessels calling at Barcelona. The recent supply underscores a tangible step in the cruise operator’s strategy to integrate sustainable fuels across its fleet, providing demand certainty for Repsol’s renewable fuel production.
The B30-MGO biofuel was produced using Repsol’s co-processing technology, which integrates renewable feedstocks like used cooking oil or HVO with conventional fossil fuels within existing refinery processes. This method yields fuels that are fully compatible with current engine and bunkering infrastructure, differing from conventional biofuels typically produced in dedicated biorefineries. The approach prioritizes operational seamlessness and reduced emissions without requiring significant fleet modifications.
Bunkering Innovation
The fuel transfer itself demonstrated a commitment to reducing emissions across the supply chain. The delivery was executed by Repsol’s chartered hybrid bunker vessel, Bahia Candela. The vessel utilized its onboard battery system during the transfer, avoiding the need to run auxiliary engines and consequently reducing direct emissions during the bunkering operation.
