In a significant stride towards maritime decarbonization, Italy has become the first European Union country to issue unified Ship-to-Ship (STS) bunkering guidelines for both Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Bio-LNG across all its national ports. This landmark move, announced by Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport on May 27, 2025, aims to enhance safety and sustainability in maritime operations, reports Bunker Market.
Unified Approach
Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) has issued new guidelines designed to ensure high safety standards, environmental responsibility, and operational clarity for ship-to-ship (STS) refueling activities involving Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and its renewable counterpart, Bio-LNG.
These guidelines provide clear criteria for local Maritime Authorities (Capitanerie di Porto) to implement within port regulations nationwide. The comprehensive coverage includes:
- Safety protocols for STS LNG and Bio-LNG bunkering.
- Risk mitigation and emergency response planning.
- Compatibility procedures between supplying and receiving vessels.
- Staff training and certification requirements.
- Operational zoning and environmental protections.
The development of these guidelines was a collaborative effort between the MIT, the General Command of the Port Authorities, the National Fire Brigade (Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco), and leading industry associations. This collaborative approach aimed to ensure both regulatory rigor and practical applicability of the new rules.
Strengthening Role
Italy’s proactive move in issuing unified guidelines for STS LNG and Bio-LNG bunkering further solidifies its strategic position as a major player in Mediterranean bunkering and maritime logistics. This regulatory backbone is expected to significantly reduce fragmentation and boost investor confidence, enabling key Italian ports to scale up their LNG and Bio-LNG bunkering infrastructure.
These strategically important ports include:
- Genoa: A crucial northwest gateway to Europe.
- La Spezia and Livorno: Key commercial and naval centers on the western coast.
- Civitavecchia: A significant hub for cruise and Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) traffic serving central Italy.
- Naples and Taranto: Important southern bunkering and industrial ports.
- Augusta: One of Italy’s major oil and gas terminals.
- Trieste: A deep-water Adriatic port with strong ties to energy trade.
Italy’s evolution in bunkering is deeply integrated into its national energy strategy, recognizing the substantial environmental benefits of LNG and Bio-LNG. LNG offers dramatic reductions in emissions, including:
- CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide): Up to 23% less compared to very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), depending on engine type.
- NOx (Nitrogen Oxides): Significant reductions, with some engines achieving up to 85% less.
- PM (Particulate Matter): Near-zero emissions, improving air quality in ports.
- SOx (Sulphur Oxides): Complete removal, making LNG compliant with IMO’s global sulphur cap.
Furthermore, Bio-LNG (liquefied biomethane) provides an even more sustainable, often carbon-neutral, pathway for the shipping industry. Produced from sustainable biomass and waste, Bio-LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to marine diesel, leveraging existing LNG infrastructure for production, storage, and bunkering. This strategic focus on cleaner marine fuels aligns Italy with broader EU-wide decarbonization targets and positions it as a regulatory model for other Member States.
New Course
With the recent publication of its LNG and Bio-LNG STS (Ship-to-Ship) Bunkering Guidelines, Italy has made a significant stride towards maritime decarbonization. Beyond its national impact, this initiative also presents the European Union with a replicable framework for a safe and sustainable fuel transition across its member states.
As the maritime industry grapples with the complex process of moving away from traditional fossil fuels, Italy’s new guidelines stand out due to their clarity, foresight, and the spirit of cooperation that underpinned their development. These qualities provide not only a robust regulatory foundation but also a distinct competitive advantage for Italy. By taking this proactive step, Italy is firmly anchoring its position at the forefront of Europe’s maritime energy future.
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Source: Bunker Market
