Celestyal Discovery has become the first vessel in Greek waters to be refuelled using a marine biofuel blend. The milestone delivery, conducted at the Port of Lavrion, was carried out by Coral Marine Products SA, part of Motor Oil Group, in partnership with Celestyal.

The locally produced blend combines conventional marine fuel with a second-generation biofuel derived from recycled used cooking oils. The innovation, created by Motor Oil’s subsidiary Verd, is fully compliant with the new ISO 8217:2024 standards and is credited with reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 21%.

Captain George Koumpenas, COO at Celestyal, said: “This initiative marks a meaningful shift toward sustainable cruising. We are proud that Celestyal Discovery is taking the lead in reducing the environmental footprint of the cruise sector in Greece.”

Chris Theophilides, CEO at Celestyal, said: “From refreshing our fleet to expanding our itineraries, sustainability is central to our long-term vision. This pioneering use of biofuel is a proud moment for us and demonstrates what’s possible when local expertise and global ambition come together. We’re committed to exploring further solutions that support our planet and enhance the cruising experience for future generations.”

The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery joined the Celestyal fleet in November 2023 and has recently undergone her second multi-million Euro refurbishment. From April to November, she will offer three- and four-night night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’ cruises departing Athens calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini with prices starting from €339 pp.

She will then reposition to the Arabian Gulf offering three- and four-night night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises departing Abu Dhabi calling at Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, Khasab and Ras al Khaimah. Prices start from €618 for two people on a three-night voyage, and €778 for two people on a four-night cruise.