German cruise operator TUI Cruises is increasing its use of liquefied biomethane (LBM) as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ship operations in Europe. The company has incorporated the fuel into the operations of its dual-fuel fleet, alongside other measures aimed at improving energy efficiency and lowering emissions.
The dual-fuel Mein Schiff Relax is operating its Northern European itineraries entirely on LBM during the 2026 summer season. The programme includes ports in Scandinavia, the Baltic region and other destinations in Northern Europe.
TUI Cruises is also supplying LBM to Mein Schiff Flow, which has been regularly bunkering the fuel in Barcelona since May 2026. The vessel is expected to continue using LBM beyond the winter season, extending the company’s deployment of the alternative fuel across its European programme.
According to figures released by TUI Cruises, LBM use had resulted in ~26,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas savings compared with conventional marine fuels by July 2026. The company projects that the reduction will reach ~50,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by the end of the year, according to chief executive Wybcke Meier.
The expanded use of biomethane forms part of TUI Cruises’ broader decarbonisation programme, which includes alternative fuels, energy-efficiency measures and emissions-reduction technologies across its Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleets.