Wedoany.com Report-Mar 1, Italian energy firm Edison has supplied liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Mein Schiff Relax, a new cruise ship owned by Germany’s TUI Cruises, in the Adriatic Sea. The bunkering took place in the port of Trieste, utilizing Edison’s LNG carrier Ravenna Knutsen, a vessel built in 2021 with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters. Mein Schiff Relax, recently handed over to TUI Cruises, is the first of two LNG dual-fuel cruise ships crafted by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The ship measures 333 meters in length, 42.1 meters in width, and has a gross tonnage of 160,000 tons.

Registered under the Malta flag, Mein Schiff Relax operates with a dual-fuel propulsion system, allowing it to use LNG or marine gas oil (MGO), with potential to switch to low-emission alternatives like bio- or e-LNG. The vessel features a shore power connection system, catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a waste heat recovery turbine that reuses heat from diesel generators, and a waste treatment setup that thermally converts organic materials into recyclable matter. These features enable the ship to produce no emissions while docked, which accounts for about 40% of its operational time.

The refueling marks another ship-to-ship LNG operation by Edison in the Adriatic Sea during 2024, following earlier bunkering activities that were the first of their kind in this Mediterranean region. Edison reports that this operation strengthens its role in Italy’s LNG bunkering sector. The company also highlights the increasing importance of the Adriatic Sea as a hub for supplying and refueling ships with alternative fuels in the maritime industry.

This development reflects a broader trend toward cleaner energy options in shipping, with Mein Schiff Relax showcasing advanced technology to reduce environmental impact. Edison’s use of Ravenna Knutsen in Trieste underscores its capacity to support such initiatives, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable fuel solutions in maritime transport. The collaboration between Edison, TUI Cruises, and Fincantieri demonstrates a coordinated effort to advance greener practices in the cruise sector, with the Adriatic emerging as a key area for these operations.