Axpo and Carnival Corporation conduct Naples’ first LNG refuelling of a cruise ship

26.05.26 - Axpo has successfully completed the first LNG bunkering of a cruise ship in Naples, Italy, it was announced today. Ship-to-ship refuelling of the Sun Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation – the world’s largest cruise operator – took place on 24 May. The operation is a significant milestone in the development of infrastructure and services for alternative marine fuels in Italy, supporting the transition to lower emission fuels. 

In brief:

• Axpo carried out the first LNG bunkering operation for a cruise ship at Naples Port (Sun Princess) on 24 May 2026.

• Axpo is expanding its small-scale LNG infrastructure and services in the Mediterranean region.

• Italy's LNG imports are growing fast, reflecting the maritime sector's efforts to reduce emissions.

The ship-to-ship refuelling operation, carried out on Sunday 24 May at the Port of Naples, was performed using the Green Zeebrugge LNG bunkering tanker, previously deployed in the Port of Genoa. The transfer of LNG to the cruise ship Sun Princess represents a key step in the expansion of LNG in the maritime sector, thereby supporting emission reduction efforts within this industry. 

Axpo’s Head of Small-Scale LNG Daniele Corti said: "This operation is further demonstration that an alternative fuel infrastructure is truly up and running. When industry partners collaborate towards a common goal, Europe's shipping industry makes real progress towards lowering emissions. I'd like to thank the local authorities and Carnival Corporation for enabling this significant milestone."

“This milestone marks important progress for Carnival Corporation as we continue expanding the use of LNG across our world-class cruise lines including Princess Cruises,” said John Haeflinger, senior vice president, maritime policy and analysis, Carnival Corporation. “Advancing access to alternative fuels in key ports is essential to supporting our efforts to reduce emissions, and this milestone reflects the power of collaboration across our industry.”

The successful operation is the result of close collaboration between Axpo, the Port System Authority of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Terminal Napoli, and the Port Authority of Naples, which coordinated operational and regulatory activities related to the bunkering operation.

Growing role of LNG in Italy

LNG is central to Europe's energy security and supply diversification. According to a report by the EU energy regulatory agency ACER the EU imported 146 billion cubic metres of LNG in 2025. Italy led this growth, importing 20.6 billion cubic metres, a 6 billion cubic metre increase from 2024, making it Europe's second-fastest growing LNG importer after Belgium.

This surge reflects the maritime sector's imperative to reduce emissions in line with international decarbonisation targets, including the FuelEU Regulation's goal of an 80% reduction by 2050 compared to 2020 levels. Developing bunkering infrastructure and marine fuel services in Italian ports is therefore critical to supporting the logistics and cruise industries' transition towards more sustainable operations.

Axpo's ambitious small-scale LNG strategy 

Following the first ship-to-ship bio-LNG refuelling in Italy in December 2025, the Naples operation is another important first in Axpo's strategy to build a comprehensive small-scale LNG and bio-LNG supply chain across Italy and Spain. 

The company is developing critical bunkering infrastructure for maritime and heavy transport sectors, including the Green Pearl, a 7,500 m³ vessel launched in January 2026 for ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck operations in Italian ports, and the Alisos LNG (12,500 m³), which began operations in Spain in March 2026.

These initiatives position Axpo as a key enabler of lower emissions maritime transport while strengthening Italy's role in Europe's evolving energy landscape.

Notes to editors

• Ship-to-ship operation refers to the transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a specialised LNG vessel to a larger cargo or container ship. The process is conducted at sea or in designated port areas.

• Bunkering is the process of refuelling ships or other vehicles, particularly in maritime contexts. This can include various types of fuel, such as oil, diesel and LNG.

• LNG is an important transitional solution to reducing emissions in the maritime sector compared to traditional marine fuels. Compared to the latter, LNG eliminates 100 per cent of sulphur oxide (SOX) emissions, between 80 to 90 per cent of nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions and 25 per cent of CO2 emissions.