Molgas Energy Completes Its First Bio-LNG Bunkering in Spain with UECC

Molgas Energy Group has successfully carried out its first Bio-LNG bunkering operation in Spain, marking a significant advancement in the country’s maritime decarbonisation journey. The milestone delivery, conducted at the Port of Sagunto, originated from an ISCC-certified terminal in Barcelona and was completed in partnership with United European Car Carriers (UECC). This event not only represents Molgas’s debut Bio-LNG operation but also signals Spain’s growing readiness to embrace low-emission marine fuels at scale.

This landmark achievement was carried out as part of UECC’s “Sail for Change” initiative, an ambitious programme introduced in 2024 to promote low-carbon fuel adoption across its fleet. The operation involved the bunkering of two vessels with Bio-LNG — a renewable fuel that’s increasingly recognised for its role in enabling the maritime sector to align with climate goals.

Bio-LNG: A Cleaner Path Forward for Maritime Fuels

Bio-LNG, or liquefied biomethane, is a next-generation fuel produced from organic waste materials like agricultural residue, food waste, and sewage sludge. It mirrors the chemical properties of conventional LNG, allowing ships already equipped for LNG to use Bio-LNG without modifications. This compatibility offers a cost-effective and practical solution for operators aiming to lower emissions without overhauling vessel infrastructure.

What makes Bio-LNG particularly compelling is its carbon intensity (CI) score, which can be negative depending on feedstock and production methods — making it a frontrunner among renewable marine fuels. Industry assessments show that Bio-LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80–90% compared to traditional fossil fuels like HSFO or MGO, with further potential for full lifecycle carbon neutrality.

A Decarbonisation Milestone in Spanish Waters

Molgas’s Bio-LNG delivery at the Port of Sagunto is being hailed as a “massive leap forward” in advancing maritime decarbonisation in Spain. It aligns with broader European regulatory trends, notably the FuelEU Maritime regulation and the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to include shipping emissions from 2024. As shipowners face increasing pressure to meet carbon intensity targets and pay for CO₂ emissions, scalable low-emission fuels like Bio-LNG are becoming essential.

Molgas Energy Group, a leading bunkering company in Europe, has been at the forefront of LNG supply operations across the continent. With this first Bio-LNG operation now completed, the company is positioning itself to scale up deliveries at additional Spanish ports and support customers in their transition to compliant, low-emission fuels.

UECC: Driving Sustainable Shipping in Europe

United European Car Carriers (UECC), the recipient of the Bio-LNG delivery, is a key player in sustainable maritime logistics. The company operates a fleet of modern, eco-efficient PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carriers), many of which are equipped with dual-fuel LNG engines and hybrid battery systems. UECC is targeting net-zero emissions by 2040, with Bio-LNG seen as a bridge fuel that enables immediate reductions in vessel emissions while longer-term solutions such as ammonia and hydrogen are developed.

UECC’s sustainability strategy is closely aligned with regulatory developments and customer expectations, making it a logical early adopter of Bio-LNG bunkering in Europe.

Spain’s Expanding Role in Sustainable Bunkering

With its robust port network and proximity to major European trade routes, Spain is rapidly emerging as a key bunkering hub in the Mediterranean for cleaner fuels. Ports such as Barcelona, Cartagena, and Algeciras are already equipped with LNG bunkering infrastructure, and interest in Bio-LNG is accelerating as regulatory deadlines loom.

In 2024, Sustainable marine fuels such as LNG bunkering volumes in Spain saw significant growth, with the Port of Barcelona reporting a 60% increase in demand. Initiatives like the deployment of LNG bunkering vessels — including the Haugesund Knutsen and Levante LNG — are reinforcing Spain’s position as a regional leader in maritime decarbonisation.

Molgas Energy Group’s Vision for the Future

As the global shipping industry moves toward compliance with the IMO 2050 emissions targets, Molgas Energy is expanding its role as a reliable partner in the clean energy transition. The company’s investment in Bio-LNG bunkering operations reflects a broader strategy to offer flexible, scalable, and sustainable marine fuel solutions to shipping companies operating in and around Europe.

Molgas’s entry into Bio-LNG in Spain also underscores the increasing feasibility of renewable drop-in fuels in mainstream maritime operations — not only for shortsea shipping but eventually for deep-sea applications as production scales and infrastructure matures.

Molgas Energy: A Leader in Bio-LNG Supply and Distribution

Molgas Energy is a leading downstream LNG, bioLNG, and renewable gases supply and distribution company. Present in over 16 countries across Europe, Molgas supplies low-carbon fuels to customers in the Industrial, Mobility, and Marine sectors. The company’s extensive asset base includes small-scale liquefaction terminals, trucks and semi-trailers, satellite regas plants, road-fueling stations, and bioLNG bunkering vessels, which provide the ability to deliver clean fuels with the highest standards of safety and reliability.

Source MOLGAS Energy Holding