The Port of Naples has completed its first ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation for a cruise vessel, marking a significant step in the development of lower-emission marine fuel infrastructure in Italy. The operation was carried out through a collaboration between Axpo, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) and Studio di Ingegneria Benvenuto & Associati, supporting Sun Princess, the LNG-powered cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation.
LNG was supplied by the specialised bunkering vessel Green Zeebrugge, operated by Axpo, during the ship-to-ship transfer. The successful operation establishes Naples as a new LNG bunkering location for cruise ships and provides an operational framework for similar activities at other Italian ports as the maritime sector continues its transition towards alternative marine fuels.
As part of the project, Bureau Veritas carried out an independent technical review of the Quantitative Risk Assessment prepared by Studio Benvenuto to verify compliance with Italian maritime regulations, including the requirements of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the National Fire and Rescue Service. The bunkering operation was conducted in accordance with international LNG bunkering standards and applicable Port State Control requirements.
The project demonstrates the coordinated involvement of ship operators, fuel suppliers, engineering specialists, classification societies, port authorities and regulatory bodies in supporting the expansion of LNG infrastructure for the cruise industry. The successful completion of the operation provides both an operational precedent and a regulatory model for future LNG bunkering activities within Italian ports.
Simone Rodolfi, Head of Origination and Structured Products at Axpo Italia, indicated that the achievement reflects the industry's continuing commitment to lower-emission shipping. He stated that the combined expertise of Axpo, Studio Benvenuto and Bureau Veritas is contributing to the development of the infrastructure and regulatory framework required to support the ongoing transition of Italy's cruise sector towards lower-emission operations.