August 6, 2025. The Mein Schiff Relax, the first InTUItion class vessel of TUI Cruises, has led the first Bio-LNG supply to a ship from a barge at the Port of Barcelona. The operation took place on July 26, 2025, when the barge Haugesund Knutsen, from Knutsen Scale Gas and chartered by Shell, supplied 1875 m3 of Bio-LNG from the regasification plant operated by Enagás at the port.
Bio-LNG is considered a sustainable fuel by the European Commission due to its production process from organic waste. By utilizing this waste, it allows for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by between 70 – 100%, depending on the origin of the organic matter, throughout the production and consumption cycle. In practice, this circular economy process decarbonizes ship operations, in this case the Mein Schiff Relax cruise ship, in line with the decarbonization commitments set by the FuelEU Maritime Directive.
Bio-LNG has the same characteristics as fossil LNG, so it can be used by any ship equipped to operate with LNG, such as the most modern cruise ships operating at the Port of Barcelona, which are regularly supplied with LNG – specifically 23% of the calls registered in 2024. Transitioning from a transitional fuel like fossil LNG, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to traditional fuel, to a sustainable fuel like Bio-LNG represents a significant qualitative leap in the energy transition process and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transport sector, especially in maritime transport.
