Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy has become the first cruise ship in Italy to be refueled with advanced biofuel, marking a key milestone in transition toward greener operations.
The refueling took place during the ship’s stopover at the Port of Naples, with Q8 Italia overseeing the bunkering operation. The event also signals the growing role of Naples as a potential hub for sustainable marine fuel solutions in the Mediterranean.
“This marks a significant step toward decarbonization of maritime transport,” Q8 Italia said. “We’ve successfully supplied the Disney Fantasy with Q8 HVO, the first hydrotreated vegetable oil ever used in a bunkering operation at the port of Naples.”
HVO, or hydrotreated vegetable oil, is a second-generation biofuel produced from renewable sources such as used vegetable oils, animal fats, and plant waste. Through hydrogenation, these materials are transformed into paraffinic hydrocarbons, creating a fuel that performs like diesel but with a far more sustainable profile.
Unlike LNG, which requires ships to be built or retrofitted with dual-fuel engines, HVO can be used in conventional diesel engines without modifications. This makes it a powerful transitional solution for cruise lines and cargo operators seeking immediate cuts in emissions without major capital investments.
Still, questions remain about the future: Will biofuels be available at scale, and at a cost competitive enough to meet growing demand? That challenge is being addressed by startups like Biobunker Med, a company co-founded by Bruno Mazzarelli and backed by Kuwait Petroleum Italia. The firm is focused on producing and storing marine-grade green fuels without requiring dramatic overhauls to current vessel technology.
“The port of Naples is now a serious candidate to become a regional biofuel hub,” Biobunker Med said in a statement. “Thanks to our partnership with Geneva-based trader Glander, and the operational support of Kuwait Petroleum, Sarda Bunkers, and TCL, we’ve been able to establish a reliable supply chain.”
However, Italy’s maritime bureaucracy still poses barriers. Currently, ships flying the Italian flag are not allowed to use biofuels without prior ministerial approval and a formal product assessment by the Coast Guard. Shipowners must also submit a detailed risk assessment before biofuel can be used legally onboard.
