TUI Cruises: Successful Bio-LNG Premiere for Mein Schiff Relax in Barcelona

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TUI Cruises has achieved a significant advancement on its journey toward climate-neutral cruising at the port of Barcelona. At the end of July, the "Mein Schiff Relax," the newest member of the fleet and the first vessel of the innovative InTUItion class, received its inaugural supply of Bio-LNG. During a ship-to-ship bunkering operation, 1,875 m³ of the more environmentally friendly fuel were transferred from a barge to the cruise ship.

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Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, emphasizes the importance of this step: "The Bio-LNG bunkering of the Mein Schiff Relax proves that by using modern propulsion systems, we are already able to significantly reduce CO2 emissions today. We are consistently pursuing our path to decarbonization and view alternative fuels as a crucial lever to achieve our climate goals."

The bunkering was carried out by the barge "Haugesund Knutsen," operated by Knutsen Scale Gas and chartered by Shell. The biofuel used was produced at the Enagás regasification plant directly in the port of Barcelona and is fully certified according to ISCC EU criteria. This process highlights a commitment to a local and sustainable value chain.

Bio-LNG, or liquefied biomethane, is a 100 percent renewable fuel derived from organic waste products. Its use can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 to 100 percent compared to fossil fuels, depending on the origin of the biomass. As Bio-LNG is chemically identical to fossil LNG, it can be used in the dual-fuel engines of the Mein Schiff Relax without any technical modifications.

All new builds from TUI Cruises are equipped with such flexible dual-fuel engines, designed to operate on lower-emission fuels like Bio-LNG. The Mein Schiff 7, which entered service last year, is also prepared for the future use of green methanol. "This technological flexibility is of central importance to us. Our goal is to be able to switch to the lowest-emission option available at any time, as soon as it becomes available at scale," Meier added.

This premiere in Barcelona is a key component in the implementation of TUI Cruises' climate protection roadmap, which aims to achieve climate-neutral ship operations by 2050. The company's plan is based on four central pillars:

  1. Alternative Fuels: Use of Bio-LNG and, in the future, green methanol.
  2. Green Shore Power: Utilization of shore power in a growing number of ports.
  3. Energy Efficiency: Maximization through technical optimizations such as route planning, digital performance monitoring, special hull coatings, and cleaning systems.
  4. Optimized Itinerary Planning: Reduction of energy consumption through intelligent routing.

TUI Cruises operates one of the most modern cruise fleets worldwide. In addition to technological innovations, numerous smaller sustainability measures contribute to reducing its ecological footprint. For example, the company avoids using around 5 million plastic cocktail stirrers annually, which, if lined up, would stretch for 400 kilometers—the circumference of Mallorca. Similarly, by eliminating 10 million drinking straws per year, a distance of about 2,918 kilometers is saved, equivalent to the distance from Bremerhaven to Reykjavik. These concrete actions are part of the comprehensive climate strategy and support the goal of offering guests the most resource-efficient travel experience possible.