Axpo Conducts Its First Bio-LNG Refueling of MOL Vessel in Barcelona

Axpo’s refueling of a Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) vessel was its first ship-to-ship bio liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation in the port of Barcelona, it was announced on June 22. MOL’s Lapis Ace vehicle carrier received bio-LNG from Axpo's bunkering vessel Green Pearl, marking another milestone in the development of alternative marine fuels infrastructure and services in Spain.

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In brief:

• Axpo completes its first ship-to-ship operation in Barcelona, transferring bio-LNG to MOL's Lapis Ace vehicle carrier from the Green Pearl bunkering vessel.
  
• Operation is Axpo's third in a major Spanish port after successful transfers in Málaga and Algeciras.
  
• LNG and bio-LNG transfers across Spain show operational reliability of alternative marine fuels in transition to maritime decarbonization.
  

Reinforcing its commitment to supporting the maritime industry's transition to lower-emission fuels, this latest ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation demonstrates Axpo's expanding capability to serve leading shipping operators across major ports in Spain.

Axpo's Head of Small-Scale LNG Daniele Corti said: "The refueling operation with MOL in Barcelona represents another key moment for LNG adoption in Spain. We're not only developing infrastructure. We're proving that alternative marine fuels can be operationally reliable and cost-effective. As demand for LNG and bio-LNG continues to increase, Axpo's growing operations in Málaga, Algeciras and now Barcelona demonstrate that this is no longer a niche market. It is a critical stepping stone in the maritime industry's transition to a lower-carbon future."

Axpo has been selected to supply bio-LNG fuel to MOL across the Mediterranean, providing bunkering services at the Spanish ports of Málaga and Barcelona. The agreement expands Axpo's role in lower-emission maritime transport and builds on its existing Western European supply partnership with MOL, which began in March 2025.

Expanding Infrastructure for Maritime Transport

Axpo's presence in Spanish ports has grown substantially over the past year. In April 2025, the company completed its first LNG delivery in Málaga, followed by successful operations in Algeciras and Sines (Portugal). These milestones were made possible by Axpo's 7,500-cubic-metre small-scale LNG vessel Green Pearl, improving the speed, flexibility and efficiency of bunkering operations across the Mediterranean. Axpo currently also holds a license to operate in the port of Valencia.

In Italy, Axpo conducted the country’s first ship-to-ship bio-LNG refueling in December 2025. Shortly afterwards, in March 2026, the state-of-the-art bunkering vessel Alisios LNG, chartered by Axpo, was launched at the port of Huelva in southwestern Spain.

Axpo's 10-year charter of the Green Pearl and ongoing expansion of its bio-LNG portfolio reflect the company's belief that industry collaboration is essential to achieving global emissions targets. By partnering with leading shipping operators like MOL and MSC, Axpo is demonstrating how coordinated action can accelerate the maritime sector's shift toward cleaner fuels.