GNV VIRGO bunkers LNG as Italy's first long-haul LNG-powered ship on a scheduled route

FerryGNV has achieved a milestone for Italian shipping with the inaugural LNG refuelling of a passenger ferry in Genoa. The highlight was GNV VIRGO, the company's newest vessel and Italy's first long-haul LNG-powered ship on a scheduled route.

The operation, conducted with Axpo Italia and supported by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority and Genoa Port Authority, drew dignitaries including Edoardo Rixi (Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport), Marco Bucci (Liguria Region President), Emilio Robotti (Genoa Municipality Sustainable Mobility Councillor), Matteo Paroli (Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority President), and Admiral Antonio Ranieri (Liguria Maritime Director and Genoa Port Commander), alongside local shipping representatives. This public-private partnership advances innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness.

"This marks a turning point for GNV in cutting fleet emissions. LNG integration reduces pollutants sharply and builds expertise for Europe's maritime future, reinforcing our sustainable shipping pledge," said GNV CEO Matteo Catani.

The refuelling used bio-LNG from organic biogas, certified under RED II and ISCC via mass balance. This enables GNV VIRGO's Genoa–Palermo round trip with net-zero GHG emissions, proving low-impact operations are feasible today—aligning with EU decarbonisation goals for 2050.

"We aim to embed bio-LNG structurally, despite limited availability and high costs requiring supply-chain investment," Catani added.

The bunkering, per May 2025 Ministry guidelines, transferred 500 cubic metres of bio-LNG for the route's autonomy.

"We're proud to drive maritime innovation with GNV from Genoa, our Italian base. This launches Small Scale LNG projects ahead," said Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi.

Matteo Paroli hailed the "historic" bio-LNG ship-to-ship bunkering as proof of collaborative progress: "GNV VIRGO advances Genoa and Italy's sustainable maritime sector."

Admiral Ranieri noted the months-long coordination ensuring safety: "This positions Genoa as a Mediterranean leader in green navigation."

GNV VIRGO, LNG-designed for Genoa–Palermo, cuts CO2 by ~50% vs. predecessors, plus cold ironing, SCR, and heat recovery for IMO Tier III/EEDI Phase II compliance. Specs: 52,300 GT, 218m length, 29.6m beam, 25 knots max speed; 420+ cabins for 1,785 passengers; 2,770 linear cargo metres.

GNV plans five more LNG vessels by 2030, fostering fleet-wide sustainability.

Dec 07 2025