Glander International Bunkering, Cepsa join efforts to deliver marine biofuel to cruise lines in Mediterranean

Glander International Bunkering, a subsidiary of Bunker Holding, and Cepsa are now jointly facilitating the supply of second-generation hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel, to cruise-line vessels in the Mediterranean.

Cepsa has completed four deliveries of HVO via Glander International Bunkering to a cruise ship at the Port of Barcelona since late June.

The second-generation biofuel is made from ISCC EU-certified raw materials and can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional fuels throughout their lifecycle.

The combination of Cepsa’s capacity to supply biofuel to the cruise industry on a regular basis at the Spanish ports where it operates and Glander International Bunkering’s vast network of strategic marine customers looking for lower-carbon fuel solutions provides “a great example of how partnerships like this can enable and facilitate the decarbonization of the shipping industry,” according to Cepsa.

“We are thrilled to partner with Glander International Bunkering in its journey towards sustainability with these second-generation biofuels for the cruise industry,” said Samir Fernández, the director of marine-fuel solutions at Cepsa. “By supplying the wider cruise industry with HVO or biodiesel, we are supporting industry efforts towards sustainable cruising and reinforcing the Port of Barcelona’s role as a leading sustainable hub in the energy transition.”

While Cepsa and Glander International Bunkering have been engaged in direct, ongoing dialogue around the specifics regarding last-mile delivery to cruise ships, Bunker Holding’s Green Center of Excellence has played an instrumental role in growing the partnership, Cepsa stated.

“Our partnership with Cepsa is a result of our diligent work to form alliances with strong suppliers of low-carbon fuels,” said Valerie Ahrens, the senior director of new fuels and carbon markets at Bunker Holding. “As of late, we have been putting concerted effort into developing strategic partnerships with a view to facilitating the decarbonization of the shipping industry. We are especially seeing an increase in the interest in biofuels and, with around 30 of our offices now being ISCC-certified, we have expanded our biofuels sales and the availability of biofuels to over 120 ports worldwide.”

The demand for lower-carbon fuels is on the rise for the shipping industry in general, brought on by the International Maritime Organization’s carbon-intensity indicator (CII) requirements, the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System, and FuelEU maritime entering into force in 2025.

In addition, the Cruise Lines International Association is turning its attention to ensure that the sector has sufficient access to low-carbon fuels in pursuing net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.