Axpo and Vitol have carried out the first LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s Port of Civitavecchia, extending their LNG refuelling network to the country’s major cruise hub, according to Ship & Bunker.
The ship-to-ship transfer took place at berth 18 on Sunday morning and was performed using Green Pearl, Axpo’s 7,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel, Axpo told Ship & Bunker in an emailed update on Wednesday. Green Pearl, which entered service in 2026, is used for both ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering operations across Italian ports.
Civitavecchia serves as the principal seaport for Rome and ranks as Europe’s second-largest cruise port. According to Ship & Bunker, it now joins Genoa and Naples as Italian ports offering LNG bunkering through the Axpo-Vitol partnership. Axpo began LNG ship-to-ship bunkering operations in Genoa in late 2025, followed by Naples in May of this year.
The Civitavecchia operation was conducted for a vessel operated by an international cruise line, Ship & Bunker reported. Axpo said the move is intended to reinforce LNG bunkering infrastructure and services across Italy.
Industry Comments
“LNG is one of the most substantial and readily available solutions to help support this transition,” said Simone Demarchi, CEO of Axpo Italia, as quoted by Ship & Bunker.
Stefan Dubbeldam, head of small-scale LNG & LNG bunkering at Vitol, added that “Vitol is globally invested throughout the value chain, from upstream bio-LNG and LNG production and offtake, through to solutions for customers through our LNG Bunker Vessel fleet,” according to the report.
Ship & Bunker also noted that Axpo is expanding its bunkering fleet beyond Green Pearl. The company has chartered Alisios LNG, a 12,500 m3 bunkering vessel that began operations in Spain in March.
Does This Matter to You?
This development is relevant to those tracking the growth of LNG bunkering infrastructure in the Mediterranean, particularly around cruise operations. The addition of Civitavecchia to Axpo and Vitol’s network signals continued expansion of LNG refuelling availability along Italy’s coast, following similar rollouts in Genoa and Naples.
For vessels calling at Civitavecchia, including cruise ships, the availability of LNG bunkering may offer an additional fuel option at the port. The broader fleet expansion, including the chartered Alisios LNG vessel operating in Spain, also points to growing LNG bunkering capacity across southern European waters. Ship & Bunker’s report does not provide further detail on pricing, volumes, or future scheduling for LNG bunkering at Civitavecchia.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
