Eni and MSC Cruises announced today the completion of the experimental campaign on the use of HVO diesel (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) by Enilive for the feeding of cruise ship engines, an experiment that confirmed the technical feasibility of using biofuel in form in the maritime sector to support the decarbonisation of the and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions throughout its entire life cycle, allowing shipowners to reduce emissions costs and to comply with the targets set by the European FuelEU Maritime Regulation.

During the tests, one of the engines of the MSC cruise ship Opera was powered for approximately 2,000 hours with HVO pure, without any modification to the engine. At the same time, performance and emissions data collected. Eni and MSC Cruises highlighted that the test showed that HVO represents a solution that can also be immediately applied to engines without the need for significant upgrades ensuring performance in line with those of the traditional marine fossil fuels. The test also recorded a reduction in emissions of both NOx (-16%) and particulate matter, as well as a significant decrease in GHG emissions of approximately -80% compared to fuel use reduction linked to the use in the process of HVO production of 100% biogenic raw materials.

Technical data on engine performance and emissions were collected and evaluated with the support of Wärtsilä, the engine manufacturer, and Bureau Veritas, which has acted as an independent certifying body for the validation of experimental results.

Stefano Ballista, CEO of Enilive, specified that "HVO is produced in biorefineries Enilive of Venice and Gela, mainly from raw materials waste such as used cooking oils, animal fats and residues of the agri-food industry. For some months - he announced - the HVO Enilive's marine diesel is available in the ports of Genoa, Ravenna and Venice for direct deliveries from the depot to the ships by barge".