Bergen, Norway | December 15, 2025 – Odfjell SE, a global market leader in chemical tanker shipping, has launched the first operational green corridor for deep-sea shipping, linking Brazil and Europe. Based on certified sustainable biofuel, this pioneering initiative sets a new global benchmark for deep-sea decarbonization, conclusively demonstrating that viable low-carbon solutions are immediately available to the market.
The 5,000-nautical-mile route is now serviced by the company’s chemical tankers, including the Bow Leopard, operating with substantially lower emissions. The corridor is designed for long-term commercial commitment, scheduling 12-15 voyages per year, each lasting approximately 40 days.
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Securing the Green Fuel Supply Chain
This corridor moves beyond conceptual demonstrations into tangible, long-term operational commitment. Odfjell has secured a crucial long-term B24 sustainable biofuel blend off-take agreement in Rio Grande, Brazil, to ensure consistent fuel availability. The B24 blend consists of 24% renewable biodiesel derived from waste, mixed with 76% VLSFO.
The success of the corridor relies on collaboration across the entire value chain. The Ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam, and Rio Grande are actively partnering with Odfjell to enhance efficiency and optimize port-stay processes along the route.
A Practical Path to Zero-Emission Shipping
CEO Harald Fotland emphasized the operational and strategic significance of the corridor:
“We do this to demonstrate that certified fuel, technology, and infrastructure are already available. Through this, we show that sustainable biofuel is a viable option for deep-sea shipping today.”
Fotland noted that this initiative is not a one-off demonstration, but a long-term commitment to integrating greener fuel into Odfjell’s decarbonization strategy:
“With this corridor, we activate the entire value chain to find ways to decarbonize our operations. We are encouraged that key stakeholders are joining us in this groundbreaking initiative.” said Fotland.
Industry-Led Action for Scalable Infrastructure
Odfjell has taken an independent, self-funded approach, moving forward without subsidies.
“By covering the additional cost ourselves, we eliminate the financial element and move directly into operational implementation. It may not be a perfect corridor yet, but it is a solid start,” said Fotland.
The success of the corridor depends on collaboration across the value chain, including:
- Working with ports to increase efficiency
- Partnering with customers to maximize capacity utilization
- Collaborating with fuel providers to increase green fuel availability
Sustainable Fuel and Emission Reductions
In Brazil, the currently available sustainable biofuel is certified B24, a blend of 24% renewable biodiesel from waste and 76% VLSFO. The introduction of biofuel builds on Odfjell’s decade-long efforts to reduce emissions, during which the company has improved its carbon intensity by over 54% compared to 2008 levels through technical and operational measures.
Alignment with Global Climate Goals
The initiative supports the IMO’s 2030 targets and the EU’s Fit for 55 ambitions and builds upon the 2024 Norway-Brazil MoU establishing a green transatlantic shipping corridor.
Fotland concluded: “We hope to inspire broader industry action and welcome continued collaboration with regulators, ports, producers, other ship operators, and customers to accelerate the transition to low-emission maritime transport.”
Government and Industry Voices Applaud the Move
The launch has received high praise from key industry and government leaders:
The Hon. Anders Bjelland Eriksen, Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, congratulated the company:
“We congratulate Odfjell on taking the lead and demonstrating what is possible when business and public authorities cooperate across national borders to reduce emissions. Green shipping corridors over long distances are still at an early stage, and this therefore represents an important first step on the path toward zero emissions.“
“The ocean is the essential link in trade between Brazil and Norway. This new green shipping corridor is the direct result of the cooperation Norway has with Brazil on more climate-friendly shipping. We are committed to continuing this work with the aim that more vessels can gradually adopt a wider range of low- and zero-emission fuels.”
Knut Arild Hareide, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners Association, highlighted the necessity of such actions:
“That a deep-sea shipping company like Odfjell has succeeded in establishing a regular corridor between Brazil and Europe powered by certified biofuel is both highly encouraging and an important step toward our shared goal of decarbonizing global shipping by 2050.“
“While shipping accounts for roughly three percent of global, human-made greenhouse gas emissions, meeting the ambitious climate targets the industry has set for itself will require close collaboration across the entire maritime value chain. This initiative is an excellent example of how collaboration between ports, fuel producers, and shipping companies can deliver tangible results that move us forward in the green transition.”
Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime at DNV, confirmed the strategic importance of the fuel choice:
“Congratulations to Odfjell and partners on launching the first Brazil–Europe green corridor. This is exactly the kind of practical decarbonization initiative needed to accelerate learning, send strong demand signals, and enable scalable supply of lower‑emission fuels.”
“As highlighted in DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050, biofuels are a pragmatic deep‑sea option, especially when backed by robust certification and chain‑of‑custody models. This green corridor will show how this works in action while demonstrating how value‑chain collaboration can speed the transition and help meet ambitious goals.”
Odfjell hopes this initiative will inspire broader industry action, accelerating the transition to low-emission maritime transport globally.
About Odfjell SE
Established in 1914 and headquartered in Bergen, Norway, Odfjell SE is a global market leader in the seaborne transportation and storage of chemicals and other specialized bulk liquids. Operating a highly sophisticated fleet of approximately 70 vessels and four terminals worldwide, Odfjell pioneered the chemical tanker trade and is committed to safe, efficient, and sustainable logistics.
Source: Odfjell SE