The cruise ship Celestyal Discovery made history in April 2025 as the first ship in Greek waters to operate using a marine biofuel blend. The refuelling took place at the Port of Lavrion, facilitated by Coral Marine Products SA, a subsidiary of the Motor Oil Group, in collaboration with Celestyal.
This fuel blend combines conventional marine fuel with a second-generation biofuel derived from recycled cooking oils. Developed by Motor Oil subsidiary Verd, the blend meets ISO 8217:2024 standards and is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 21 percent.
Captain George Koumpenas, COO at Celestyal, emphasised the significance of this milestone, stating that it marks a meaningful shift toward sustainable cruising. He expressed pride in Celestyal Discovery for leading the way in reducing the environmental footprint of Greece’s cruise sector.
Celestyal’s CEO, Chris Theophilides, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability. He noted that this pioneering use of biofuel demonstrates the potential of local expertise and global ambition working together to create a greener future for cruising.
The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery, which joined the fleet in November 2023, recently underwent an extensive refurbishment. From April to November, the ship will offer three- and four-night “Iconic Greek Islands” cruises departing from Athens, with fares starting at $389 per person.
Later, the vessel will reposition to the Arabian Gulf for its first ‘Iconic Arabia’ season, featuring short cruises from Abu Dhabi, with fares beginning at $718 for two people.
