Bulk liquid transportation company Odfjell has established a green shipping corridor between Brazil and Europe.
The new corridor would enable Odfjell’s chemical tankers to complete the 5,000 nautical mile (9,260km) route with significantly reduced emissions via the use of certified B24 biodiesel – a 24% biodiesel blend derived from waste and 76% VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil), the company said on 17 December.
Odfjell said the corridor would operate 12-15 voyages/year, each lasting around 40 days.
To secure long-term fuel availability, the company said it had established an offtake of B24 biofuel blend with Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras.
The Ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam and Rio Grande were working with Odfjell’s team to advance the green corridor through increased efficiency and optimised port-stay processes, the company said.
Odfjell has self-funded the project and moved ahead without subsidies.
“By covering the additional cost ourselves, we eliminate the financial element and move directly into operational implementation,” said Harald Fotland, Odfjell CEO.
“It may not be a perfect corridor yet, but a solid start. Its success depends on collaboration across the value chain, and we are committed to developing it further together with relevant stakeholders.”
The initiative was in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s 2030 targets and the European Union (EU)’s Fit for 55 ambitions, building on the 2024 Norway-Brazil memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a green, transatlantic shipping corridor, Odfjell said.
