Axpo & GNV Complete First Ship-To-Ship Bio-LNG Refuelling In Italy

Italy’s first ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering was completed at the Port of Genoa by Axpo and GNV.

This significant step will strengthen the companies’ leadership in sustainable marine fuels.

The operation involved refuelling the new ferry GNV Virgo, which is the first Italian ro-pax vessel powered by liquified natural gas to be used on a regular route.

GNV Virgo will operate in tandem with Europe’s decarbonisation targets to achieve the EU’s aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

GNV Chief Executive Officer Matteo Catani said the company is currently focusing on how to use bio-LNG for all its operations.

However, the fuel is limited and requires a lot of investment. There is also a need to develop a supply chain capable of ensuring stable and large-scale provision.

Costs are high, and the quantity available on the market is not enough to meet the growing demand. It is a long journey which requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, Catani added.

In the six-hour-long operation, 500 m3 of bio-LNG was transferred to the GNV Virgo, sufficient to fuel its return journey to Palermo.

The GNV Virgo operating on the Genoa-Palermo route will significantly decrease the environmental impact of ferry operations in both ports.

The 52,300-ton ship is 218 m long, 29.6 m wide, with a maximum speed of 25 knots.

With over 420 cabins, it can accommodate around 1785 passengers. It has a cargo capacity of 2770 linear metres.

Source: Maritime Shipping News