To kick off the month of October, BNCC and The Brazilian Embassy in Oslo organized an event on October 1st, which was more than just a gathering of qualified speakers sharing their expertise; it was an experience. The event took place on the Brazilian ship BRASIL, docked in the centre of Oslo. It gathered knowledge, culture, and people in a unique venue.
Under the theme “Brazil & Biofuel – Charting a Sustainable Course for Shipping,” experts from different companies shared how Brazil’s bioenergy production can contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime industry, an industry responsible for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions.
Key findings from DNV’s Biofuels in Shipping White Paper were presented, highlighting that although biofuel use in shipping accounted for only 0.3% of total energy consumption in 2023, its uptake is rapidly accelerating.
Ports such as Singapore (B24) and Rotterdam (B30) are leading this transition, showing that marine biofuel blends are already compatible with existing ship engines and fuelling infrastructure.
During the session, it was emphasized that Brazil has great potential to use sugarcane ethanol as a sustainable fuel for ships.
In addition, Brazil’s sugarcane industry shows very high productivity, about eight times higher than corn, and follows strong environmental rules. The presentation explained that new ethanol production uses degraded pasture areas instead of farmland for food.
The discussion also mentioned the issue of food security related to biofuels made in Brazil from sugarcane and soybeans. It was explained that sustainable development must find a balance between energy production and food availability. However, only around 1% of Brazil’s total farmland is used for biofuel production. In the case of sugarcane, mainly the bagasse, an agricultural residue, is used to produce energy, which means that biofuel production does not affect the country’s food supply or compete with food production.
Since the International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced stricter emission targets and new carbon taxes, ethanol is becoming an important fuel option for ships to cut emissions in the short, medium, and long term. It provides a practical and expandable solution that follows international regulations and offers a competitive cost for the amount of energy it produces.
In conclusion, Brazilian biofuels are not only an environmental solution but also an important economic opportunity. They offer low emissions, proven technology, and can be expanded quickly, which fits well with the IMO’s goal to reduce carbon emissions.
The session ended on a very positive note, highlighting the importance of Brazilians and Norwegians understanding each other’s perspectives. It was reinforced that Brazil needs Norway just as much as Norway needs Brazil, showing the value of a respectful and strong partnership between the two countries. Brazil and Norway have complementary strengths;
Brazil is a leader in renewable energy, while Norway is known for its innovation in the maritime sector. By working together, they can help lead the global shipping industry toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The seminar featured speakers from the Norwegian and Brazilian Government, as well as key stakeholder companies.
We would like to thank the Training Vessel Brasil from the Brazilian Navy, Captain Rodrigo Monteiro Lázaro and his crew, and the Brazilian Embassy in Oslo for their hard work and dedication to help make this event a success.
Speakers in order of appearance:
Rodrigo Monteiro Lázaro: Captain of the Navy Vessel Brasil
Rodrigo de Azeredo Santos: Ambassador of Brazil to Oslo
Aage Thoen: Chairman BNCC / Director Thoen Group.
Kjetil Elsebutangen : Ambassador designate of Norway to Brazil.
Øyvind Sekkesæter: Senior Consultant, Environment Advisory Maritime DNV Groupe Research and Development.
Torbjørn Lie: OSM Thome
Paulo Macedo :Global Director For International Relations and Advocacy, Raizen
Flavio Ribeiro : President of Bunker Oil
Ambassador Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo: Former Director General of WTO, current board member of Ambipar.
Ottar Ostnes :Director General of Department of Maritime Policy and Coastal Development, Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
Article by Elaine Carina Silva in collaboration with BNCC.
