BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 12. Eni and MSC Cruises
have announced the successful completion of a test using Enilive’s
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel, confirming its technical
feasibility as a marine fuel in its pure form, Trend reports via
Eni.
The trial demonstrated that HVO can be directly used in cruise
ship engines without any modifications, marking a significant step
toward the decarbonisation of maritime transport and compliance
with the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation.
The joint test was conducted on board the cruise ship MSC Opera,
where one of its engines operated for approximately 2,000 hours on
100% HVO fuel. Throughout the trial, performance and emissions data
were continuously monitored.
Results showed that HVO delivered performance comparable to
conventional marine fossil fuels, while significantly reducing
environmental impact. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) fell by
16%, particulate emissions were also reduced, and greenhouse gas
emissions were cut by around 80% over the fuel’s lifecycle, thanks
to the use of fully biogenic feedstocks in its production.
The technical evaluation of engine performance and emissions was
supported by engine manufacturer Wärtsilä, while independent
certification was provided by Bureau Veritas, which validated the
test results.
The companies said the outcome confirms HVO as an immediately
deployable solution for the maritime sector, offering shipowners a
practical way to reduce emissions and transition toward cleaner
fuels without costly technological upgrades.
