ABRAN and Brazil’s Navy Forge Stronger Maritime Industry Ties

On July 18, 2024, ABRAN’s representatives, including Executive Director Ricardo Cesar Fernandes, Ivan Cruz from Subsea7, Breno Spolidoro from DOF, and Jorge Silva from OSM Thome, met with Fleet Admiral Sílvio Luís dos Santos and his team at the General Directorate of Navigation (DGN) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. This significant meeting underscored a mutual commitment to the advancement and sustainable transformation of Brazil’s maritime industry.

Strengthening Partnerships

Fleet Admiral Sílvio Luís welcomed the ABRAN delegation warmly, emphasizing the Brazilian Navy’s recognition of the maritime industry’s crucial role. He stressed the importance of ongoing, open dialogue to collaboratively address industry challenges and enhance the sector’s growth.

ABRAN’s Commitment to Maritime Excellence

Ricardo Fernandes, Executive Director of ABRAN, provided an insightful overview of the association’s mission and activities. He highlighted ABRAN’s vital role in representing Norwegian shipowners across all shipping segments in Brazil. Fernandes also noted ABRAN’s pivotal support during the pandemic, offering authorities a comprehensive sector view to assess the impacts of border closures and travel restrictions on international seafarers.

Fernandes detailed ABRAN’s extensive membership, which includes over 327 vessels globally and more than 30,000 employees. He underscored the members’ long-term commitment to Brazil and their significant contributions to offshore and maritime transport projects. Additional insights were provided by representatives from Subsea7, DOF, and OSM Thome, who elaborated on their companies’ critical roles in the Brazilian oil and gas industry.

Key Topics of Discussion

The discussions were robust and focused on several key areas:

• Decarbonization and Future Fuels: Attendees delved into strategies for industry decarbonization and explored the potential of future fuels and offshore wind opportunities.
• Accelerating the Green Shift: The conversation addressed the challenges and bottlenecks in advancing the green transition, aligning with IMO and EU environmental goals.
• Seafarers’ Education and Workforce Development: The importance of maritime education and training was a major topic, especially considering the current shortage of skilled seafarers in Brazil.

Insights from the Navy

Director General of Navigation expressed his gratitude for the informative dialogue and highlighted the Navy’s interest in learning more about green transition initiatives. He showed particular interest in low-emission fuel technologies, especially biofuels, given their strategic importance for Brazil. Addressing workforce challenges, the Admiral mentioned the Navy’s efforts to update the Maritime Academy’s curriculum in consultation with industry representatives and its collaboration with BNDES to support the green transition, despite budget constraints.

Moving Forward

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Ricardo Fernandes thanking General Director of Navigation Admiral Sílvio Luís and his team for their invaluable insights and support. Admiral Sílvio Luís confirmed the Navy’s participation in the upcoming Brazil@Nor-Shipping event in 2025, signaling a continued commitment to collaboration and mutual growth.

This productive meeting marks a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between ABRAN and the Brazilian Navy, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for Brazil’s maritime industry.

Petrobras’ recent fact-finding mission to Norway, organized by ABRAN (Associação Brasileira de Armadores Noruegueses), has concluded with great achievements. This mission marks a step towards a greener future for Brazilian maritime operations. The initiative facilitated important meetings between Petrobras’ team and the Norwegian shipowners’ community, as well as key maritime forums, to explore and leverage opportunities for a green transition.

A Warm Welcome in Ålesund

The mission kicked off in Ålesund, where Petrobras received a warm welcome during a breakfast meeting with the local maritime community. This gathering showcased various future-proof technologies closely linked to sector decarbonization, aligning perfectly with Petrobras’ goals as outlined in their presentation.

Exploring Bergen’s Maritime Opportunities

The second part of the mission took place at the historic headquarters of The Bergen Shipowners Association. Here, a breakfast meeting saw the maritime community engage with Petrobras, who highlighted significant business opportunities and their commitment to accelerating the green transition of its chartered fleet. Bergen’s dynamic maritime sector, renowned for its proven solutions, provided a robust platform for Petrobras’ green ambitions.

Haugesund: A Leap in Maritime Innovation

In Haugesund, the maritime cluster showcased cutting-edge technologies focused on remote operations and green shipping, marking a significant leap in maritime innovation. During breakfast meetings in both Haugesund and Oslo, the local maritime communities were excited by Petrobras’ impressive portfolio of opportunities for the industry. The week concluded at the NSA headquarters in Oslo, where Petrobras engaged in productive discussions about future business opportunities with the maritime community.

Mission Highlights

Ålesund:

• Ulstein: Demonstrated innovative ship design capabilities, including the X-BOW® hull design, known for enhancing fuel efficiency and safety.
• Olympic Next Ship: Presented their latest vessels equipped with state-of-the-art technology for sustainable operations.
• Havila Group: Discussed advanced ferry services prioritizing eco-friendly solutions.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Highlighted leading maritime automation and control systems critical for modern ship operations.

Bergen:

• Corvus Energy: Examined cutting-edge battery solutions for hybrid and fully electric vessels, essential for reducing maritime carbon footprints.
• Havila Polux: Explored green shipping technologies implemented on this vessel, showcasing the future of sustainable shipping.
• DOF Group: Detailed extensive offshore services and innovative marine infrastructure projects.
• PLUG: Presented power shoring technology, crucial for reducing emissions during docked operations.
• Misje Flora: Celebrated the naming ceremony of this new vessel, embodying the latest in green shipping technology.

Haugesund:

• DeepOcean: Held strategic meetings on subsea services and innovative remote operations.
• Solstad: Toured the impressive Normand Navigator, highlighting advanced fleet management and sustainable practices.
• SEAM Company: Visited facilities to learn about contributions to maritime digitalization and energy efficiency.

Oslo:

• NSA Headquarters: Engaged in collaborative meetings with the maritime cluster, fostering discussions on future partnerships and business ventures.

Acknowledgments

This mission underscored the vibrant synergy between Petrobras and the Norwegian maritime sector, paving the way for innovative collaborations and sustainable advancements in maritime technology.

ABRAN’s recent business trip to Brasília, alongside the Norwegian Embassy and Team Norway, showcased a promising collaboration between Norway and Brazil in advancing green transition initiatives. Led by representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions centered around the potential for a future green transition agreement between the two countries. Key highlights included productive meetings with several representatives from Government, Regulatory Agencies, and Industry Associations, where both parties expressed mutual interest in areas such as sustainable maritime fuels, green corridors, offshore wind energy, among other topics. The program enabled productive engagements with stakeholders, highlighting Brazil’s commitment to decarbonization efforts and the willingness to partner with Norway on concrete initiatives.

A lunch meeting with Brazilian stakeholders at the Norwegian Embassy underscored the potential for cooperation in green energy projects, with discussions focusing on wind power generation and sustainable maritime and port infrastructure. Additionally, meetings with Ministry of Finance representatives provided insights into Brazil’s comprehensive plan for ecological transformation, outlining ambitious goals across pillars such as sustainable finance, technological development, and circular economy. Both sides explored avenues for collaboration to drive green innovation and economic growth, signaling a promising trajectory for future partnerships.

Looking ahead, ABRAN remains committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration between Norway and Brazil in the realm of green transition. As discussions progress and initiatives take shape, ABRAN stands ready to contribute expertise and resources to facilitate a successful transition towards a more sustainable future. The trip exemplified the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and highlighted the potential for impactful partnerships in driving positive environmental outcomes.

In response to the significant implications of the latest legislation concerning Transfer Pricing, the Board of ABRAN has taken proactive measures to support its members. Recognizing the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the new framework, ABRAN organized a workshop in the first quarter of 2024. This event served as a crucial platform for reflection, discussion, and strategic planning to ensure successful adoption of the new regulations.

The workshop, titled “Understanding the new Brazilian TP legal and regulatory framework – impacts for Norwegian shipowners,” took place on the 1st of March at OSM Thome and was opened by the Consul General of Norway Mette Tangen. The agenda was carefully curated to address key aspects of the new legislation, featuring presentations from esteemed experts in the field. These sessions provided invaluable insights into the changes brought about by the new framework, practical methodologies for compliance, and strategies for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with representatives from prominent firms such as E&Y, KPMG, PWC, and DELOITTE, who shared their expertise on various aspects of Transfer Pricing. The workshop also facilitated interactive Q&A sessions, allowing participants to seek clarification and guidance on specific issues relevant to their organizations. The event concluded with closing remarks from Walker Lima, Managing Director of OSM Thome, emphasizing the importance of proactive adaptation to the evolving regulatory landscape.

Through initiatives like this workshop, ABRAN remains committed to empowering its members with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate regulatory complexities effectively. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and facilitating dialogue with industry experts, ABRAN continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Norwegian shipowners in Brazil.

Charting the Course in Marine Fuels Technology

The prevailing technology in the marine fuels sector is a dynamic landscape, with multiple emerging technologies vying for dominance. From LNG to hydrogen-based fuels, biofuels, and ammonia, the sector is exploring diverse options to meet environmental regulations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Brazil can distinguish itself by leveraging its abundant natural resources for sustainable biofuel production, investing in R&D for advanced biofuels and explore other alternative fuels. Policy incentives and investments on infrastructure development are vital to positioning Brazil as a leader in sustainable marine fuels.

Meeting IMO’s Ambitions for Green Maritime

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is committed to achieving net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050. The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy outlines ambitious targets for reducing carbon intensity and increasing the uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies. The global introduction of alternative fuels, including biofuels, is integral to meeting these goals.

The Role of Brazil’s Gas Market Restructuring

The recent restructuring of Brazil’s gas market plays a crucial role in the decarbonization of the maritime sector. By providing a regulatory framework supporting LNG development, Brazil can encourage its adoption in the industry. LNG serves as a cleaner-burning bridge fuel, reducing emissions while alternative fuel infrastructures are developed.

Collaborating for Green Fuels Advancement

Brazil and Norway can collaborate to advance green fuels through knowledge exchange, joint research, and policy development. Norway’s experience in electric and hydrogen-powered ships can be useful insights for Brazil’s strategies. Workforce challenges in transitioning to green fuels necessitate proactive measures in retraining and upskilling.

Charting a Sustainable Course Together

The path to decarbonizing the maritime sector involves embracing diverse technologies, leveraging natural resources, and fostering international collaboration. Brazil and Norway’s partnership can serve as a beacon for other nations, demonstrating that a sustainable maritime future is achievable through shared knowledge, strategic policies, and innovative solutions. As the world navigates the seas of decarbonization, these insights pave the way for a cleaner and greener maritime industry.

The primary focus of the meetings was to highlight the instrumental role played by Norwegian Shipowners in the global decarbonization effort and, in particular, their strong and enduring footprint in Brazil. Mr. Meira emphasized the commitment of Norwegian shipowners to sustainability and the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines.

The delegation shared insights into the roadmap adopted by the Norwegian Shipowners, outlining the strategic steps and initiatives taken to reduce carbon emissions across their fleet. Emphasizing the need for aligned policies and strategies with IMO regulations, Mr. Øvrebø highlighted the importance of a conducive business environment to attract investments into the Brazilian maritime sector and explained the concept of green corridors as good strategy.

During the visit, discussions also revolved around the association’s keen interest in the regulatory agenda and ongoing initiatives by the Brazilian government to support and enhance the maritime industry. ABRAN expressed its willingness to cooperate with the government, contributing to the formulation and execution of policies that promote sustainability and align with international standards.

The delegation also met with Norwegian Ambassador to Brazil, Odd Magne Rudd, to present market outlook, main challenges and main contributions of Norwegian shipowners to the Brazilian maritime landscape and reflect on potential collaborative efforts aimed at a more sustainable future.

The visit served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of valuable insights between ABRAN and key stakeholders in Brasília. It underscored the association’s commitment to actively engage with the government and contribute to the development of a regulatory framework that encourages environmentally conscious practices and attracts investments to the Brazilian maritime sector.

As ABRAN continues to advocate for a greener maritime industry, these strategic discussions in Brasília mark a significant step towards building a sustainable, collaborative, and prosperous future for the Brazilian maritime sector, aligned with global decarbonization goals.