A pioneering eight-year agreement between Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings (NCLH) and Spanish energy giant Repsol will supply renewable marine fuels at the Port of Barcelona.
The deal represents a first-of-its-kind long-term collaboration within the cruise industry, according to NCLH.
As of the 2026 European season, Repsol will begin supplying a portfolio of renewable fuels – including biofuels and, from 2029, renewable methanol – to vessels operated by NCLH’s three cruise brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“This partnership is an excellent example of how cross-industry collaboration can unlock meaningful progress,” NCLH President and CEO Harry Sommer said.
“Securing long-term access to renewable marine fuels at a key European port aligns directly with our Sail & Sustain® program and demonstrates our commitment to advancing towards a more sustainable future.”
The agreement demonstrates that renewable fuels are ready to play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of the maritime sector, according to Repsol Executive Managing Director for Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy Juan Abascal.
“By partnering with NCLH, one of the world’s leading cruise companies, we show that renewable fuels are already deployable at scale to immediately start reducing emissions at sea,” he said.
The renewable methanol will be sourced from Repsol’s Ecoplanta facility in Tarragona, Spain – a flagship project that will convert up to 400,000 tons of municipal solid waste annually into 240,000 tons of renewable fuels and circular products. NCLH becomes the first company to sign an offtake agreement for renewable methanol from this facility, which is expected to begin operations in 2029.
All fuels provided under the agreement will be certified under the ISCC EU framework, supporting NCLH’s environmental compliance and Net Zero targets by 2050. The deal also aligns with the company’s “Charting the Course” 2026 goals, which include a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity by 2026 and 25% by 2030.
