The Celestyal Discovery has become the first vessel in Greek waters to be refueled with a marine biofuel blend. This historic event, which took place in the Port of Lavrio, was carried out by Coral Marine Products SA, part of the Motor Oil Group, in collaboration with Celestyal.
The locally produced blend combines conventional marine fuel with a second-generation biofuel derived from recycled cooking oils. This innovation, developed by Verd, a subsidiary of Motor Oil, fully complies with the new ISO 8217:2024 standards and is credited with an approximate 21% reduction in CO₂ emissions.
Captain George Koumpenas, Chief Operating Officer of Celestyal, stated: “This initiative marks a significant shift towards sustainable cruising. We are proud that the Celestyal Discovery is leading the way in efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the cruise industry in Greece.”
For his part, Celestyal CEO Chris Theophilides commented: “From modernizing our fleet to expanding our itineraries, sustainability is at the heart of our long-term vision. This pioneering use of biofuel is a source of pride and demonstrates what can be achieved when local expertise is combined with global ambition. We are committed to continuing to explore solutions that protect our planet and enhance the cruise experience for future generations.”
The Celestyal Discovery, with a capacity for 1,360 passengers, joined the Celestyal fleet in November 2023 and has recently completed its second multimillion-dollar refurbishment. From April to November, it will offer three- and four-night cruises to the iconic Greek Islands, departing from Athens and calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini.
It will then reposition itself in the Arabian Gulf, offering three- and four-night cruises called 'Iconic Arabia', departing from Abu Dhabi and visiting Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, Khasab and Ras al Khaimah.
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