Celestyal Discovery becomes the first ship in Greece to be refuelled with a marine biofuel blend

Celestyal Discovery becomes the first ship in Greece to be refuelled with a marine biofuel blend

Celestyal Discovery has become the first ship in Greek territorial waters to be refuelled with a marine biofuel blend. This significant delivery was made in the Port of Lavrion by Celestyal and Coral Marine Products SA, a subsidiary of Motor Oil Group.

The locally produced fuel blend combines conventional marine fuel with a second-generation biofuel derived from recycled used cooking oils. Developed by Motor Oil’s subsidiary Verd, the innovation is fully compliant with the new ISO 8217:2024 standards and delivers CO₂ emissions reductions of approximately 21%.

“This initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable cruise tourism. We are proud that Celestyal Discovery is a pioneer in reducing the environmental impact of the cruise sector in Greece and our region,” said Captain George Koumpenas, Celestyal COO. “From our fleet renewal to our itineraries, sustainability is at the heart of our long-term vision,” said Chris Theophilides, Celestyal CEO. “The use of biofuels is a proud moment for us and shows what is possible when local expertise meets global vision. We are committed to exploring more solutions that support our planet and enrich the cruise experience for future generations.”

Celestyal Discovery, with a capacity of 1,360 passengers, will join the Celestyal fleet in November 2023 and has undergone a refurbishment process. It will sail from Athens on three- and four-night “Iconic Aegean” cruises from April to November, calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini. It will then sail to the Arabian Gulf on three- and four-night “Iconic Arabia” cruises departing from Abu Dhabi. These cruises include Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, Khasab and Ras al-Khaimah.