Norway´s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and Brazil´s National Secretary of Ports and Waterways were on the panel on the first day of this two-day webinar.
45 percent of Norway´s investments in Brazil are within the offshore, maritime and oil and gas sectors, and it is indeed a sector where our two countries share synergies and history.
The seminar is organized by FGV Law School, Abran and the Consulate General of Norway, and took place for the 4th time this year.
On this year´s agenda was the impacts of the pandemic on the green transformation of the maritime and offshore shipping sector and the role of regulation.
Leading ocean nations
Brazilian National Secretary of Ports and Waterways Transport, Mr. Diogo Piloni, and Norwegian Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Grunde K. Almeland, talked about the strategies and initiatives of both countries towards green transformation.
“Norway and Brazil are both ocean nations, and for Norway, the ocean has always been our gateway to the world. Our goal is to be a leading ocean nation, and despite the pandemic, we need to keep up the pace and create more green jobs in this blue economy. Norway´s green focus makes us more interesting partner for Brazil, and I am sure we will benefit from working together”, Deputy Minister Grunde Almeland said.
“Our doors are open, and our agenda includes sustainability actions. Green and socially responsible economic growth is possible An example is the bill called “BR do Mar” has a huge potential of reducing CO2 emissions from road transport”, the Secretary said.
CCS and greener fuels
Four Norwegian shipping companies – Altera, Solstad, Odfjell SE and Subsea7 – presented what they are already doing to accelerate green transformation.
NBCC president José Elias is the managing director of Altera, and he highlighted Altera´s E-shuttles in his speech to the webinar.
“In the North Sea we have E-shuttles, LNG-fuelled ships with electric propulsion in operation. Carbon Capture and Storage is also a reality”, he said.
Alexandre Foureaux talked about Solstad Green Operations, a program with focus on fuel savings, that in 2019 resulted in avoided Co2 emissions of 106.000 tons. Solstad´s goal is carbon neutral operations by 2050.
SDG´s
NBCC board member and Odfjell SE VP Knut Øvrebø presented how his company has committed to UN´s sustainable development goals. Odfjell has fleet monitoring in place to ensure energy efficiency, and also practices weather routing.
“The result is fuel saving, not only benefitting the shipowner, but the world”, he said.
Daniel Hiller, Comercial and strategy director of Subsea7, talked about the hybrid vessel Seven Viking, whose battery has resulted in fuel savings of almost 20 percent.
“Sustainability is one of our core values, and we always work to improve operational eco-efficiency”, he said.
On Day 1, the event was opened by the Dean of FGV Law School Rio, Professor Mr. Sergio Guerra, President of ABRAN (NSA Brazil), Mr. Felipe Meira, and the Consul General of Norway in Rio de Janeiro, Ms. Marianne Fosland.
“Norwegian shipowners are pioneers in the green transformation, and is working towards a climate neutral fleet by 2050”, Mr. Meira said.
Moderators of the event was Executive Director of ABRAN (NSA Brazil), Mr. Ricardo Fernandes, and Professor Ms. Patrícia Sampaio, from FGV Law School Rio.
Day 2
On September 30, Professor Rômulo Sampaio from FGV Law School Rio presented the role of the regulators, Director Mr. Sveinung Oftedal, from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, presented the IMO Strategy on GHG reduction and the National Action Plan for Green Shipping, and Vice Admiral Cursino, Director of Ports and Coasts and Director Mr. Adalberto Tokarski presented the strategies and initiatives towards the green transformation of the sector.
The very first edition took place back in 2014.
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