TUI Cruises has supplied its newest cruise ship, Mein Schiff Relax, with 1,875m³ of bio-LNG at the Port of Barcelona, marking the vessel’s first use of the renewable fuel.
The operation was completed in late July through ship-to-ship bunkering, with fuel transferred from the Haugesund Knutsen barge operated by Knutsen Scale Gas and chartered by Shell.
The bio-LNG was supplied from Enagás’ regasification plant at the Barcelona port, where it was produced and certified under the ISCC EU sustainability standard. The locally sourced fuel represents a short supply chain, with production and bunkering taking place within the same port area.
For TUI, the operation is a step towards its target of becoming climate neutral by 2050. Bio-LNG can deliver greenhouse gas emissions reductions of between 70% and 100% compared with fossil fuels, depending on the organic waste used to produce it, while its compatibility with existing LNG infrastructure allows Mein Schiff Relax to use the fuel without modifications to its dual-fuel engines.
Commenting on the achievement, Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, said: “With the bio-LNG bunkering of Mein Schiff Relax, we are demonstrating that we are already reducing CO2 emissions thanks to modern propulsion systems.
‘We are consistently pursuing decarbonisation and see alternative fuels as a key lever for achieving our climate reduction targets.”
What is bio-LNG?
Bio-LNG is liquefied biomethane produced from organic waste, including materials that would otherwise require disposal or treatment.
Organic matter is processed to produce biogas, which can then be upgraded to biomethane and cooled to cryogenic temperatures to create a liquid fuel.
Its significance for shipping comes partly from its compatibility with existing LNG technology. Because bio-LNG has the same basic chemical composition as fossil LNG, vessels equipped with suitable dual-fuel engines can use it without major changes to their propulsion systems.
The fuel could therefore provide a way for sectors such as maritime transport to reduce emissions while alternative technologies and fuels continue to develop.
Its overall climate benefit, however, depends on factors including the feedstock used, how it is produced and the emissions associated with its supply chain.
Mein Schiff Relax uses existing dual-fuel technology
Mein Schiff Relax is the first vessel in TUI Cruises’ new InTUItion class and forms part of one of the world’s younger cruise fleets. Like the company’s other newbuilds, it has dual-fuel engines designed to accommodate lower-emission fuels such as bio-LNG.
The approach is intended to give the fleet greater flexibility as cleaner marine fuels become available. Mein Schiff 7, which entered service in 2025, is also equipped for the potential future use of green methanol.
The Barcelona bunkering therefore demonstrates how alternative fuels can be incorporated into existing vessel operations without requiring a fundamental change to the ship’s propulsion system.
Bio-LNG forms part of wider climate strategy
TUI Cruises’ use of bio-LNG is one element of a broader strategy aimed at reaching climate neutrality by 2050. The company’s approach combines alternative fuels with other measures intended to reduce energy demand and emissions.
These include increasing the use of green shore power, improving energy efficiency through route optimisation and digital performance tools, and using hull coatings and cleaning systems to reduce resistance. Travel planning is also being adjusted to help limit overall energy consumption.
The company is also targeting waste reduction. Its measures include eliminating around five million plastic cocktail sticks and 10 million drinking straws annually.
While bio-LNG alone cannot decarbonise cruise shipping, its compatibility with existing LNG-powered vessels could make it an important transitional fuel as the industry develops a broader mix of lower-carbon propulsion options.
