Innovative Biofuel Use and Advanced Book & Claim System Drive Significant Reductions in Maritime Supply Chain Emissions
Copenhagen, Denmark – May 22, 2025 — In a groundbreaking move toward maritime decarbonisation, Danish shipping company NORDEN has partnered with Microsoft to reduce supply chain emissions through an innovative biofuel and Book & Claim pilot project. The collaboration aims to deliver measurable reductions in maritime-related Scope 3 emissions, while advancing the global infrastructure for low-carbon fuel adoption.
This strategic partnership underscores the growing role of corporate collaboration in reducing carbon footprints within ocean freight logistics, especially where direct access to sustainable fuels remains geographically limited.
Table of Contents
Driving Maritime Decarbonisation Through Innovation
As part of the three-year pilot initiative, Microsoft is expected to reduce its maritime Scope 3 emissions by nearly 10,000 tonnes of CO₂e, thanks to NORDEN’s use of certified, waste-based biofuels and its robust Book & Claim system. This model allows companies to claim emissions reductions even if they are not directly consuming the low-carbon fuel onboard their own cargo shipments.
“We are pleased to work with a like-minded partner in Microsoft, sharing our ambition to scale the use of low-carbon fuels to reduce emissions in the maritime industry,” said Anne Jensen, Chief Operating Officer at NORDEN. “With the addition of Microsoft to our portfolio of customers, we are demonstrating that NORDEN can help any company dependent on maritime transportation reduce supply chain emissions in the here and now, while we as a carrier overcome the challenges of limited geographic availability of low-carbon fuels.”
How the Book & Claim System Works
NORDEN’s Book & Claim solution offers a verified method for organisations to participate in the decarbonisation of maritime transport, even when physical access to alternative fuels is not available. Here’s how it functions:
- Biofuel Deployment: NORDEN operates select voyages using certified waste-based biofuels, offering an 80–90% life-cycle CO₂ reduction compared to conventional marine fuels.
- Emission Transfer: The emissions reductions from these biofuel voyages are then transferred to Microsoft, allowing the tech giant to claim a reduction in its supply chain footprint.
- Verification: The process is backed by a double audit by independent verifiers and aligned with a framework from the Smart Freight Centre, ensuring full traceability and credibility.
This structure enables companies like Microsoft to support sustainable maritime fuel use globally, without being tied to specific fuel supply chains or ports.
“This project with NORDEN, together with our pilot with the RSB, will further develop the important registry infrastructure required to help Microsoft lower our maritime supply chain emissions in a transparent and credible way, while fostering the growth of sustainable maritime fuels,” said Julia Fidler, Microsoft’s Lead for Environmental Sustainability – Fuel and Material Decarbonization.
Collaborating with RSB for Scalable Impact
To ensure robust sustainability claims, NORDEN and Microsoft are collaborating with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). Together, they are piloting updates to RSB’s globally recognised Book & Claim system, further strengthening the framework for tracking and validating emissions reductions across the maritime industry.
A Model for the Future of Sustainable Shipping
The NORDEN–Microsoft pilot serves as a template for future decarbonisation efforts in maritime logistics, especially for large-scale corporations with global shipping dependencies. By decoupling emissions reductions from fuel location and vessel-specific routes, Book & Claim opens the door for broader participation in low-carbon shipping—regardless of port infrastructure.
About NORDEN
Founded in 1871, NORDEN is one of Denmark’s oldest and most internationally active shipping companies. The company provides global ocean-based freight services for both bulk and project cargo, integrating freight solutions with port logistics to help customers optimise and decarbonise their supply chains. NORDEN’s business model prioritises flexibility, reliability, and adaptability—enabling it to serve clients efficiently across market fluctuations.
Headquartered in Denmark and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen under the OMX Nordic Large Cap index, NORDEN operates 18 offices across six continents, making it a deeply integrated player in global trade.
Source DS NORDEN