New LNG Bunkering Vessel Launched at Port of Huelva to Boost Green Shipping and Maritime Energy Transition
A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel with a capacity of 12,500 cubic meters has been launched at the Port of Huelva, marking a significant step in expanding sustainable marine fuel infrastructure across southern Europe. The vessel, named Alisios LNG, was introduced during a ceremony attended by Arturo Gonzalo and Ignacio Soneira.
The LNG bunkering ship will operate along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, supporting the growing demand for cleaner marine fuels such as LNG and bio-LNG in global shipping. The vessel is owned by Enagás through its subsidiary Scale Green Energy and has been chartered for commercial operations by Axpo.
Designed to supply both LNG and bio-LNG to vessels operating in European shipping lanes, Alisios LNG is expected to play a key role in reducing emissions from maritime transport. The ship features advanced technology that helps minimize operational emissions while maintaining fuel quality throughout its voyage, strengthening efforts to accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime sector.
According to Arturo Gonzalo, the launch represents an important milestone in the development of sustainable maritime infrastructure. He emphasized that adopting alternative fuels such as LNG and bio-LNG is essential for the shipping industry to meet European emission reduction targets and support the broader energy transition across international transport networks.
Axpo Iberia Managing Director Ignacio Soneira highlighted that commissioning the new vessel further strengthens Axpo’s position in the small-scale LNG bunkering market. The company continues expanding its LNG supply services to help shipping companies transition toward lower-carbon fuels as global environmental regulations become stricter.
The Alisios LNG has a storage capacity of 12,500 cubic meters, allowing it to respond efficiently to fuel supply requirements from ships operating across regional ports. Its advanced control and maneuvering systems enable safe operations in multiple port environments, while specialized onboard technology ensures optimal cargo conditions for LNG and bio-LNG during transport.
Through Scale Green Energy, Enagás continues to expand its LNG bunkering fleet in southern Europe. With the addition of Alisios LNG, the company now operates four LNG supply vessels including Levante LNG, Mistral LNG, and Haugesund Knutsen.
Industry experts say LNG and bio-LNG are currently among the most viable transitional fuels for reducing emissions from global shipping while the industry works toward long-term zero-carbon alternatives. Spain’s energy infrastructure has been increasingly adapted to support this transition.
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The country’s LNG supply network includes seven regasification plants that can provide LNG for marine bunkering operations. Several major terminals, including facilities in Barcelona, Cartagena, Huelva and El Musel, have already begun offering bio-LNG supply services to commercial ships and oil tankers.
With stricter environmental regulations and rising pressure to cut emissions from maritime transport, LNG bunkering infrastructure is expanding rapidly across Europe. The launch of the Alisios LNG vessel is expected to strengthen Spain’s role as a major hub for cleaner marine fuel supply and support the global shipping industry’s transition toward more sustainable energy solutions.
