Axpo announced the successful completion of its initial liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at the Port of Valencia in Spain. The procedure involved the company's chartered LNG bunker vessel, Alisios, which has a capacity of 12,500 cubic meters. During this operation, an unnamed container ship was refueled with a fuel blend that consisted of more than 50% bio-LNG.
Daniele Corti, Axpo's Head of Small-Scale LNG, highlighted Valencia's strategic importance, noting its status as Spain's largest container port and the fifth busiest in Europe. This development is expected to bolster Axpo's regional footprint and contribute to the wider adoption of LNG and bio-LNG as marine fuels.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, the increasing availability of LNG and bio-LNG bunkering services at major European ports like Valencia signals a growing trend towards sustainable shipping. This could lead to more options for carriers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, potentially influencing vessel routing and service offerings. While not directly impacting immediate freight rates or capacity, it supports the long-term shift towards greener supply chains, which may eventually factor into carrier selection and regulatory compliance.
