This week, during his visit to the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre highlighted the deepening partnership between Norway and Brazil, particularly in advancing climate-friendly shipping. At an official reception, ABRAN had the privilege of connecting with the Prime Minister to showcase Norway’s substantial maritime presence in Brazil and reaffirm our commitment to sustainable innovation.
Promoting Climate-Friendly Shipping: A New Chapter in Maritime Collaboration
Building on their long-standing maritime relationship, Norway and Brazil announced a joint initiative to establish a transatlantic corridor for climate-friendly shipping. This ambitious project aims to identify fixed routes between Brazil and Europe for ships employing lower greenhouse gas emission technology and fuels, setting a global benchmark for sustainable shipping.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative:
‘Norway has a proud history as a shipping nation, and we aim to be a leader in green shipping. The ocean is what binds together trade between Brazil and Norway. Together, our countries have the expertise and technology needed to carry out a cutting-edge project that can showcase the potential of green shipping to the world at large. This will also open up opportunities for Norwegian shipyards and create jobs along our entire coast.’
Path to Zero-Emissions Shipping
The initiative builds on commitments made at COP26, where Norway and other nations agreed to establish shipping corridors between ports that facilitate near-zero or zero-emission operations. Shipping currently accounts for about 3% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, making this project a significant step toward decarbonizing the industry.
Brazil and Norway have launched a pilot project involving key industry partners to identify suitable routes and ports and to develop zero-emissions fuels. This collaboration aims to demonstrate that even long-distance shipping can achieve net-zero emissions, in alignment with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 targets.
‘An important step was taken last year, when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a strategy which includes an ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050. Norway and Brazil plan to show that this is also possible for ships sailing in long-distance transport. It is a challenging task, but we are very pleased to have the chance to work together with Brazil on this project,’ said Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment Tore O. Sandvik.
Looking Ahead: Presenting at COP30
Over the next year, the two countries will review specific transatlantic routes for climate-friendly shipping. Norway and Brazil aim to present one or more viable options at the COP30 climate summit, which Brazil will host in 2025.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
From tackling climate change to fostering innovation, the Norway-Brazil partnership remains a beacon of international collaboration. ABRAN is proud to support initiatives that strengthen these ties and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for the maritime industry. 🌊🇧🇷🇳🇴