LNG bunkering has reached Civitavecchia, with Axpo, a Switzerland-based energy producer and trader, and Vitol, a global energy and commodities company, completing the port’s first ship-to-ship LNG refuelling operation.
Axpo’s 7,500 m³ Green Pearl carried out the bunkering at berth 18 on Sunday, refuelling a flagship vessel operated by a major international cruise line.
The operation adds Civitavecchia to Axpo’s growing Italian LNG bunkering network, following launches at Genoa in late 2025 and Naples in May 2026.
Civitavecchia, the main seaport serving Rome, is Italy’s biggest cruise port and one of Europe’s busiest. The new service gives LNG-fuelled cruise vessels another refuelling option in the Mediterranean.
Green Pearl entered service this year and is dedicated to ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering operations in Italian ports.
“This latest operation shows the ability of our supply chain to grow rapidly and meet the needs of leading international cruise lines,” said Simone Demarchi, CEO of Axpo Italia.
Vitol’s Head of Small Scale LNG & LNG Bunkering, Stefan Dubbeldam, said LNG and bio-LNG “have a key role to play in reducing emissions from bunkering”.
Axpo is also expanding its bunkering fleet. The company has chartered the 12,500 m³ Alisios LNG, which began operations in Spain in March.
The Civitavecchia operation marks another step in the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure around Italy’s major cruise ports.
