MB Energy and TUI Cruises wrap up methanol bunkering trial of “Mein Schiff 7”
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by Admin
Integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (1 September) said it has successfully completed a methanol bunkering trial for TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal in the Port of Kiel.
As part of this delivery, approximately 25 cubic metres of methanol from renewable feedstocks were supplied to the vessel. The fuel will be used primarily for boiler operations on board.
The logistic company Johs. Martens, acting on behalf of MB Energy, handled the trucking and physical delivery of the methanol to the vessel at the terminal.
By safely and reliably supplying methanol to a large passenger vessel with around 2,900 guests on board and multiple simultaneous operations at the pier, MB Energy and TUI Cruises have jointly demonstrated system readiness for this mode of delivery.
“The operation shows that lower carbon fuels like methanol from renewable feedstocks can already be integrated into cruise operations in a safe and reliable way,” said Jonathan Perkins, CEO from MB Energy.
“Together with TUI Cruises and our logistics partner Johs. Martens, we are proving that the infrastructure and expertise are in place to support carbon reduced ways of shipping.”
The company said the methanol bunkering highlighted the company’s growing capabilities in handling methanol for major clients in northern Europe.
MB Energy is currently developing its storage infrastructure in Hamburg-Blumensand to be “methanol-ready”, enabling the supply of larger volumes of lower carbon ammonia and methanol to maritime customers in the future.
Hamburg and Kiel will serve as the company’s primary operational hubs in northern Germany, with the flexibility and ambition to also supply other European ports.
“By combining our own storage infrastructure with integrated logistics, we can offer customers a reliable and uninterrupted methanol supply,” adds Jonathan Perkins.
“Our first bunkering with ‘Mein Schiff 7’ is a strong signal of what is possible when shipowners, ports and energy providers work together.”
Jörg Umann, Director Strategic Planning, Treasury, IR and Fuel at TUI Cruises, said: “For TUI Cruises, this project provided valuable operational experience with the supply and handling of certified renewable methanol under real operating conditions.
“While the methanol from renewable feedstocks supplied during this operation is used for boiler operations rather than propulsion, projects like this help us better understand how alternative fuels can contribute to reducing emissions as part of a broader carbon reduction strategy.”
Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity.
Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity
Photo credit: MB Energy
Published: 2 September, 2026
