Danish shipping giant NORDEN has successfully completed its first-ever biofuel-powered voyage originating from the United States, advancing its strategic push toward cleaner, low-emission maritime transport. This milestone operation was carried out in collaboration with independent renewable energy producer Albioma, as the two companies joined forces to reduce carbon emissions across global supply chains.
The voyage, which departed from the port of Houston, Texas, marks a significant expansion of biofuel availability and usage in North America — a region previously limited in high-standard marine biofuel sourcing. NORDEN bunkered an ISCC EU-certified B24 biofuel blend in Houston, comprising 24% sustainable biofuel and 76% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). The vessel then proceeded to Mobile, Alabama to load 30,000 metric tonnes of wood pellets, destined for the French overseas department of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, where the cargo was successfully discharged.
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Fueling U.S. Biofuel Momentum
This operation reflects a breakthrough in regional marine fuel infrastructure. “Until now, we have not been able to source biofuel in the U.S. that lives up to NORDEN’s high standards,” said Mikkel Marconi, Commercial Lead Biofuel at NORDEN. “With a new bunker collaboration, we are now able to further accelerate our ambition to lower our customers’ supply chain emissions in the here and now in a new region.”
NORDEN’s entry into U.S.-based biofuel bunkering signals an important development for the growing biofuel sector, offering an immediate pathway to decarbonisation for vessel operators trading out of American ports. For Albioma, a company focused on renewable power production, the partnership underscores its commitment to sustainability across its logistics and fuel supply chain.
A Proven Track Record in Biofuel Innovation
NORDEN has been a frontrunner in maritime biofuel adoption since 2018, when it conducted the world’s first commercial 100% biofuel voyage. Since then, the company has significantly ramped up its investments in alternative fuels, responding to a surge in demand from customers aiming to cut Scope 3 emissions and comply with tightening environmental regulations.
“We are pleased to perform yet another biofuel voyage for a customer looking to decarbonise their supply chains,” said Henrik Røjel, Head of Decarbonisation & Climate Solutions at NORDEN. “During recent years, we have seen an increasing demand from customers to use biofuel, validating our many years of work and strategic investments in biofuel as a way to instantly reduce emissions.”
In addition to scaling operations, NORDEN in 2023 acquired a minority stake in MASH Makes, a biofuel technology scale-up, ensuring access to future-ready renewable fuel supply. The company also introduced a Book & Claim system, allowing customers to claim emission reductions from biofuel voyages even if the fuel isn’t physically used on their route — a vital tool for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors within global logistics.
Implications for the Marine Fuel Market
As one of the first shipping companies to unlock high-standard marine biofuel sourcing from the U.S., NORDEN is helping to reshape the bunkering landscape by proving that viable, scalable biofuel solutions can originate from traditionally fossil-fuel-dominant regions. This not only creates new opportunities for cleaner shipping across the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts but also accelerates adoption by demonstrating commercial viability.
For bunkering stakeholders, this development opens a new chapter in low-carbon fuel logistics, reinforcing the importance of robust supply chains, verified sustainability standards, and strong customer partnerships in driving maritime decarbonisation forward.
About NORDEN
Founded in 1871, NORDEN is one of Denmark’s oldest internationally operating shipping companies, listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen. It provides ocean freight services for bulk and project cargo worldwide and integrates freight solutions with port logistics to optimise and decarbonise supply chains. With 19 offices across 6 continents, NORDEN is a global leader in agile, reliable, and sustainable maritime logistics.
Source NORDEN