Port of Malaga marks first bio-LNG refueling operation with MSC and Axpo

The Spanish Port of Málagahas carried out its first bunkering operation of bio-liquefied natural gas (bio-LNG), having supplied a container vessel owned by Swiss maritime transport giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) with this alternative fuel.

As disclosed, the Liberia-flagged MSC Gabon refilled with bio-LNG at the Spanish port on September 24, marking Málaga’s next step in its efforts to ensure sustainable operations in the wake of tightening environmental regulations.

According to the port’s officials, the bunkering operation was conducted by the 2021-built 7,500 cubic meter (cbm) small-scale LNG vessel Avenir Aspiration, which is being chartered by Switzerland-based renewable energy producer Axpo.

The bunker ship reportedly supplied the 260-meter-long MSC Gabon with 3,000 cubic meters of bio-LNG.

Per the Port of Málaga, Axpo is the first maritime player to carry out a ship-to-ship transfer (STS) of liquefied natural gas in the region.

Namely, as representatives from Axpo had previously divulged, in March this year, the company supplied an MSC ship with 2,800 metric tonnes of LNG, marking both the first time STS bunkering was performed in the region and