Odfjell launches green corridor with transatlantic biofuel voyages
In Norway, Odfjell has launched the first operational green corridor between Brazil and Europe, powering its chemical tankers with certified biofuel on regular transatlantic voyages. The 5,000-nautical-mile route will see up to 15 sailings each year, supported by a long-term biofuel supply arrangement at the Port of Rio Grande.
Using a B24 blend made from waste-derived biodiesel, the initiative is expected to significantly cut emissions on each 40-day round trip. “This is not a one-off demonstration,” said CEO Harald Fotland. “We are integrating greener fuel as a new pillar of our decarbonization strategy.”
Odfjell self-funded the corridor without public subsidies and is collaborating with ports in Rio Grande, Antwerp-Bruges, and Rotterdam to improve efficiency and minimize time in port. The company has already reduced carbon intensity by over 50 percent since 2008 through a mix of technical and operational upgrades.
The project aligns with the IMO’s 2030 goals and the EU’s Fit for 55 agenda. Norwegian officials and industry leaders welcomed the corridor as a practical model for scalable decarbonization. DNV’s maritime head called it “exactly the kind of initiative” needed to move from ambition to implementation.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
