Disney Fantasy First in Italy to Refuel with Biofuel

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy has made history by becoming the first cruise vessel in Italy to be powered using advanced biofuel, marking a notable achievement in the maritime sector’s efforts to adopt greener fuel alternatives.

The milestone occurred during the ship’s visit to the Port of Naples, where Q8 Italia managed the biofuel bunkering. This event not only highlights a major advancement in sustainable cruise operations but also strengthens Naples’ role as a potential leader in eco-friendly marine fuel distribution throughout the Mediterranean.

“This marks a significant step toward decarbonization of maritime transport,” Q8 Italia stated. “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 (hydrotreated vegetable oil) is a next-generation renewable fuel created from feedstocks like used cooking oil, animal fats, and agricultural waste. These materials undergo hydrogen treatment to become paraffinic hydrocarbons, producing a clean-burning fuel that mimics diesel performance with significantly lower environmental impact.

Unlike liquefied natural gas (LNG), which necessitates dual-fuel engine installations or costly ship retrofits, HVO is fully compatible with existing diesel engines. This offers a near-term emissions reduction strategy for shipping companies without requiring major infrastructure changes or investments.

Yet, uncertainties persist. Can biofuels be scaled affordably to satisfy increasing demand? Companies like Biobunker Med, co-founded by Bruno Mazzarelli and supported by Kuwait Petroleum Italia, are working to solve this. Their goal is to develop and store marine-grade green fuels that fit within the current maritime system.

“The port of Naples is now a serious candidate to become a regional biofuel hub,” said Biobunker Med. “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.”

Despite these strides, Italian maritime regulations continue to pose challenges. Ships under the Italian flag cannot yet use biofuels freely; they must first obtain ministerial authorization and undergo a Coast Guard product review. Additionally, shipowners are required to submit comprehensive risk assessments before biofuels can be legally deployed onboard.