Edison Refuels TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax with LNG in the Adriatic Sea

Italian utility company Edison has successfully refueled the newbuild Mein Schiff Relax, a cruise ship owned by Germany’s TUI Cruises, with LNG in the port of Trieste in the Adriatic Sea.

As part of the bunkering operation, Edison utilized the 2021-built 30,000 cubic meter LNG carrier Ravenna Knutsen to supply the LNG to TUI Cruises’ recently delivered LNG-powered cruise ship.

Mein Schiff Relax is the first of two LNG dual-fuel cruise ships constructed by Italian shipbuilding player Fincantieri for TUI Cruises. The vessel boasts impressive dimensions, with a length of 333 meters, a beam of 42.1 meters, and a gross tonnage of 160,000 tons.

The Malta-flagged Mein Schiff Relax is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system, allowing it to operate on LNG and marine gas oil (MGO) and potentially low-emission fuels like bio- or e-LNG.

Furthermore, the cruise ship features a shore power connection system, catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a waste heat recovery turbine utilizing residual warmth from diesel generators, and a waste treatment system that converts organic substances into recyclable components through a thermal process.

These eco-friendly features enable Mein Schiff Relax to emit zero emissions while docked, accounting for approximately 40% of its operational time.

This refueling operation marks another milestone for Edison, following other successful ship-to-ship refuelings in the Adriatic Sea in 2024, solidifying the company’s presence in the Italian LNG bunkering market.

Edison’s strategic move highlights the increasing importance of the Adriatic Sea as a key location for the supply and refueling of alternative fuels within the maritime sector.