Landmark Operation Positions Port Canaveral as a Sustainable Cruise Fueling Hub, Showcases Seaside LNG’s Integrated Marine Fuel Supply Chain
PORT CANAVERAL – August 14, 2025 — In a historic milestone for Florida’s Space Coast and the broader maritime industry, Port Canaveral has hosted the first-ever LNG bunkering of Royal Caribbean International’s newest and world’s largest cruise ship, Star of the Seas. The fueling operation, conducted on August 14, was completed by Seaside LNG using the Jones Act-compliant bunker barge Clean Everglades, and supported by JAX LNG and Pivotal LNG.
This landmark event marks a critical step forward for:
Together, the operation reflects the maturing LNG ecosystem now enabling large-scale decarbonization in cruise shipping.
The LNG bunkering of Star of the Seas took place over a seven-hour fueling window, in which Seaside LNG’s Clean Everglades delivered cryogenic LNG to the vessel while docked at Port Canaveral.
The operation involved:
This bunkering is not only a technical and logistical achievement — it reflects the growing maturity of LNG infrastructure at U.S. cruise ports, and underscores Port Canaveral’s emergence as a key LNG fueling hub for the cruise sector.
Already one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, Port Canaveral is now also a frontrunner in alternative fuel adoption for cruise operations. This first LNG cruise fueling reflects the port’s:
As more LNG-powered ships join the global fleet, Port Canaveral is positioned to be a leading LNG bunkering gateway for the U.S. Southeast and beyond.
The Icon-class Star of the Seas is the newest addition to Royal Caribbean International’s fleet and the largest cruise ship in the world. She represents the next chapter in sustainable cruising through:
Environmental benefits of LNG fuel include:
After bunkering, Star of the Seas will embark on her maiden voyage from Port Canaveral on August 16, followed by weekly 7-night sailings to The Bahamas and the Caribbean beginning August 31.
As North America’s only fully integrated LNG marine fuel platform, Seaside LNG offers:
The Clean Everglades, supported by Tug Tortuga, was deployed for this bunkering. With a capacity of 5,500 cbm, the barge was delivered in late 2023 and now services LNG customers along the Southern Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions.
Seaside LNG has now completed:
Seaside LNG fleet includes:
These figures reflect the company’s ongoing leadership in clean fuel supply chain execution.
The LNG used in this operation originated from JAX LNG, a joint venture between Seaside LNG and Pivotal LNG. The facility is:
JAX LNG plays a central role in enabling consistent fuel supply to cruise ships operating out of Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, and the broader region.
Safety remains paramount across all Seaside LNG operations. The bunkering of Star of the Seas was conducted under:
By applying best-in-class engineering and risk mitigation practices, Seaside LNG ensures each operation is not only compliant — but a model for the industry.
Star of the Seas represents the next generation of sustainable cruise travel. As Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class vessel and the largest cruise ship in the world, she is fully powered by LNG — reducing her carbon intensity and aligning with the company’s Destination Net Zero strategy.
The ship’s propulsion system reflects an investment not just in fuel, but in the broader ecosystem of emissions reduction technologies, including:
With LNG fueling now successfully completed at Port Canaveral, Star of the Seas is set to begin week-long itineraries to the Caribbean and The Bahamas starting August 31, ushering in a new era of climate-conscious cruising.
As decarbonization pressure builds through:
LNG is gaining momentum as a credible and scalable maritime transition fuel.
It enables:
For cruise lines, ports, and fuel suppliers, the successful fueling of Star of the Seas is not a symbolic win — it’s a working example of real, measurable progress.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise leader known for innovation at sea. With a fleet of award-winning ships — including the world’s largest and most advanced — the brand delivers unforgettable vacations to over 240 destinations worldwide.
Royal Caribbean is a pioneer in sustainable cruising, leading the industry with investments in LNG propulsion, shore power, and its Destination Net Zero strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Seaside LNG delivers integrated LNG production, storage, and bunkering through a fleet of Jones Act-compliant bunker vessels and ownership of the JAX LNG terminal. With over 250 million gallons delivered and 665 operations completed, Seaside LNG is enabling safe, scalable LNG fueling for the marine energy transition.
One of the world’s busiest cruise ports, Port Canaveral is a leading maritime gateway on Florida’s Space Coast. Home to Royal Caribbean’s largest vessels, the port is actively advancing its clean fuel capabilities, terminal infrastructure, and emergency readiness to lead the next era of sustainable cruise logistics.
