Working to shape a sustainable future #greenshipping

ABRAN participated on Monday, May 25, in the event “Charting the Course for Decarbonized Transatlantic Corridors”, held at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Brasília. The seminar was co-organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPOR) and the Research Council of Norway, bringing together government authorities, industry representatives, ports, academia, and maritime stakeholders from Brazil, Norway, and the Netherlands.

The meeting focused on advancing discussions related to maritime decarbonization and international cooperation aimed at developing decarbonized shipping corridors connecting South America and Europe, in line with the IMO Net Zero goals.

Following the seminar in Brasília, ABRAN also participated in a technical program organized by MPOR and the Research Council of Norway for the working group responsible for advancing the establishment of the first green shipping corridor between Brazil and Europe.

The program included technical visits to the Port of Santos, with presentations and meetings involving several companies and stakeholders connected to the logistics, port, and maritime sectors. Among the visits were CoperSucar and Odfjell Terminals, where participants had the opportunity to learn more about ongoing initiatives related to sustainable fuels, logistics infrastructure, and export capacity.

The delegation also participated in a boat tour throughout the full extension of the Port of Santos channel, including presentations about the port’s operations, infrastructure projects, industrial facilities, and future development plans.

The initiative reinforced the strategic importance of international cooperation to accelerate the decarbonization of maritime transport and highlighted Brazil’s significant potential to become a global supplier and distribution hub for sustainable marine fuels. It also demonstrated the pioneering role and long-standing commitment of Norwegian shipowners to innovation, operational efficiency, and the advancement of practical solutions for a lower-emission maritime industry.

On 5–6 February, ABRAN carried out an institutional mission to Brasília aimed at reinforcing dialogue between Norwegian shipowners operating in Brazil and key Brazilian authorities.

The agenda included meetings with representatives of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, ANTAQ (National Waterway Transportation Agency), and the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPOR). The discussions were held in a constructive and forward-looking spirit, reflecting the maturity of the Brazil–Norway maritime relationship and the shared commitment to a stable, predictable, and innovation-driven operating environment.

These engagements reaffirm ABRAN’s role as an institutional bridge between industry and authorities, promoting legal certainty, competitiveness, and alignment with the long-term development of Brazil’s offshore and maritime sectors.

On 9 February, ABRAN had the honor of accompanying the Norwegian Ambassador, H.E. Kjetil Elsebutangen, the Consul General of Norway in Rio de Janeiro, Mette Tangen, and Team Norway representatives during a visit to the DOF vessel Skandi Açu, kindly hosted by Mario Fuzetti.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the high operational, safety, and technological standards of the Norwegian offshore fleet active in Brazil. It also highlighted the significant contribution of Norwegian shipowners to Brazil’s energy ecosystem, maritime innovation, and the advancement of sustainable offshore operations.

ABRAN remains committed to strengthening the strategic maritime partnership between Brazil and Norway, advancing the green transition, and fostering a business environment that supports long-term investment, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

ABRAN – The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association Brazil – had the great pleasure to take part in the official visit of the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, to São Paulo, Santos, and Rio de Janeiro.
The visit reaffirmed the close and long-standing maritime partnership between Norway and Brazil, rooted in mutual trust, innovation, and a shared vision for sustainable ocean industries.

Visits to Odfjell Terminals and Höegh EVI in the Port of Santos

ABRAN’s Executive Director, Ricardo Fernandes, joined the Minister’s delegation during visits to two outstanding examples of Norwegian competence and long-term commitment in Brazil:

• ⚓ Odfjell Terminals Santos – a leading facility for the storage and handling of liquid bulk, recognized for its operational excellence, high safety standards, and strong environmental performance; and
• ⚡ FSRU Höegh Giant, operated by Höegh EVI, a floating regasification unit that plays an essential role in ensuring Brazil’s energy security and supporting the country’s transition toward cleaner fuels.

These visits highlighted Norway’s contribution to the Brazilian maritime and offshore ecosystem and the long-term partnerships that continue to drive innovation and sustainability in the Port of Santos.

Breakfast Meeting at the Consul General’s Residence

The highlight of the program was the Breakfast Meeting hosted and moderated by Mette Tangen, Consul General of Norway in Rio de Janeiro.
The meeting gathered Minister Næss, her delegation, Innovation Norway Brazil Director Thomas Conradi Granli, and representatives of some Norwegian shipping companies active in Brazil, members of ABRAN:

Solstad Offshore – Felipe Meira (President, ABRAN)
Altera Infrastructure – José Carlos Elias (Vice President, ABRAN)
Shearwater GeoServices – Cesar Purchio
TGS – Laura Viana (Board member, ABRAN)
Subsea7 – Ivan Cruz
Seagems – Edmundo Falcão
OSM Thome – Vanuza Sampaio
Prosafe – Vitor Pitta

Key Topics and Shared Commitments

The session offered an excellent opportunity to present the activities and future ambitions of the Norwegian fleet in Brazil and to exchange views on strategic issues of mutual interest, including:

• Opportunities arising from the EFTA–MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement;
• The implementation of the Brazil–Norway MoU on Decarbonized Shipping Corridors;
• The advancement of gender equality and inclusive growth in the maritime sector; and
• The importance of joint action at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to accelerate the green transition in global shipping.

A Continued Partnership for a Sustainable Future

ABRAN is proud to have contributed to this meaningful exchange, which once again underscored the strong partnership and shared commitment between Norway and Brazil to foster a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive maritime future.
The Association extends its gratitude to all organizers of this productive program, and to the Port of Santos, Odfjell Terminals, and Höegh EVI for their warm hospitality and valuable collaboration.

During the week of the official visit of Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Myrseth, ABRAN had the privilege of participating in a series of events designed to deepen bilateral ties between Norway and Brazil and to explore the positive impacts of the EFTA–MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement on Norwegian shipping.

On Monday, the delegation began the program with a visit to Kongsberg Maritime, hosted by Marcelo Gouvea. At Kongsberg, ABRAN presented to Minister Cecilie Myrseth the Norwegian Shipowners’ presence and projects in Brazil, highlighting the sector’s contribution to the offshore and maritime economy and its role in advancing sustainability and innovation. This session also featured an insightful presentation by Jonas Mattos of DNV, focused on innovation and sustainability in maritime operations — perfectly aligned with the opportunities the EFTA–MERCOSUR Agreement creates for a greener and more competitive shipping sector.

Later in the same morning, the delegation visited Subsea7, hosted by Jim Kettle, where participants learned about the company’s cutting-edge projects and its key role in Brazil’s offshore and subsea industries.

On Tuesday, a reception, at the residence of the Consul General of Norway, brought together key stakeholders from Norway’s maritime community, government representatives, and Brazilian partners. On Wednesday morning, Minister Cecilie Myrseth hosted a breakfast for the CEOs of leading Norwegian companies operating in Brazil, focusing on the opportunities and next steps arising from the EFTA–MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement. DOF attended on behalf of ABRAN, ensuring that the interests and perspectives of Norwegian shipowners were represented at this high-level dialogue. This exclusive forum provided a valuable opportunity to discuss how the agreement can translate into concrete business gains, address operational challenges, and open new pathways for trade, investment and the green transition in the Brazilian market.

The week culminated with the Seminar and Lunch – Exploring Opportunities from the EFTA–MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement at the Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR). Representing the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association in Brazil, ABRAN’s Executive Director joined a distinguished panel — Marcelo Altieri (Yara Brasil), Randi Bolstad (Norwegian Seafood Council), and Kjetil Solbrække (Norwegian Brazilian Chamber of Commerce) — under the moderation of Thomas Conradi Granli (Innovation Norway). The discussion focused on the potential benefits of the EFTA–MERCOSUR Agreement for the shipping industry, including lower costs, expanded market access, a more level playing field, and stronger incentives for sustainable growth and the green transition.

ABRAN commends and congratulates all those involved in the successful negotiations of the EFTA–MERCOSUR Agreement, which represents a landmark achievement strengthening the partnership between Norway and MERCOSUR and unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment and decarbonization in the maritime sector.

Through events like these, ABRAN reinforces its mission of representing the interests of Norwegian shipowners in Brazil and supporting initiatives that promote innovation, sustainable growth and stronger bilateral ties.