Port of Barcelona Marks Mediterranean Milestone with First Bioethanol Bunkering Operation

The Port of Barcelona has become the site of a significant milestone in Mediterranean alternative fuels bunkering, with Spanish energy major Repsol completing what is reported to be the first bioethanol bunkering operation of its kind at the facility. According to Port Technology International, Repsol supplied 2,800 tonnes of bioethanol to the Maersk container vessel *Antonia Maersk*, marking one of the first such operations in the Mediterranean region. The bunkering represents a notable step forward in the decarbonisation of maritime operations along one of Europe's busiest shipping corridors. The operation forms part of Repsol's broader multi-energy strategy, which encompasses a range of low- and zero-carbon fuel solutions aimed at supporting the shipping industry's transition away from conventional fossil fuels. Bioethanol, derived from biological feedstocks, offers a lower carbon intensity compared to traditional marine fuels and is increasingly being explored as a viable alternative for vessels capable of running on alcohol-based fuels. Maersk, which has been at the forefront of the industry's green fuel transition, has been actively expanding its fleet's capability to operate on alternative fuels, including methanol and other low-emission options. The *Antonia Maersk* bunkering underscores the carrier's continued commitment to trialling and scaling sustainable fuel solutions across its global network. The Port of Barcelona's role in facilitating this operation highlights the growing importance of major European port hubs in developing the infrastructure and commercial frameworks necessary to support next-generation marine fuels. As regulatory pressure mounts — particularly under the EU's FuelEU Maritime regulation and the IMO's revised greenhouse gas strategy — ports that can offer alternative fuel bunkering services are positioning themselves as critical nodes in the emerging green shipping supply chain. The successful completion of this operation is expected to pave the way for further bioethanol bunkering activity in the Mediterranean, a region that has historically lagged behind Northern European ports in alternative fuel infrastructure development.