Brazil, Norway and Netherlands aim to develop Atlantic’s first green shipping corridor

Brazil, Norway and the Netherlands presented on Monday (25), the first technical and economic feasibility study for green shipping corridors in the South Atlantic. The goal is to develop a plan for the first deep-sea green corridor connecting Europe and Brazil. In 2023, maritime transport between the two regions emitted about 4.7 million tonnes of CO2e. On routes between Brazil and Norway alone, 88 voyages by large cargo vessels emitted 116,000 tonnes of CO2e, 77% of which was linked to bulk carriers transporting soybeans, ore and pulp.

The document was prepared by Norwegian consultancy DNV at the request of the Research Council of Norway and is the result of more than a year of cooperation formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2025 between Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment and Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports. The Netherlands joined the partnership in January 2026.

The study identified three priority routes. The main route links the Port of Vila do Conde, in Pará, to Karmøy, Norway, and accounts for 66% of bilateral emissions between the two countries. The second connects Santos to Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port. The third links Pecém to Rotterdam, focusing on exports of green hydrogen, ammonia and green iron under the European Union’s Global Gateway program.

For each route, three fuels with net-zero emissions potential were assessed: biodiesel, or FAME, green ammonia and green methanol. Operating zero-emission vessels still costs between 43% and 109% more than conventional operations. Biodiesel has an immediate advantage because it can be used in existing engines without modifications. On the Vila do Conde-Karmøy route, the total projected cost between 2026 and 2040 is US$252 million, 43% above the US$176 million cost of fossil-fuel operations. Green ammonia totals US$291 million, while green methanol costs up to 109% more than the baseline.

“The study provides a shared evidence base on where routes become viable, where costs remain challenging and where infrastructure still needs to advance,” said project coordinator William Nygaard.

The International Maritime Organization’s new regulatory framework could accelerate the transition. The IMO Net-Zero Framework provides for fines of US$100 per tonne of CO2e for those failing to meet basic targets and up to US$380 for the largest emitters. As a result, the additional cost of green biodiesel compared with conventional operations could fall from 86% in 2026 to 8% in 2040, while the premium for ammonia would decline from 104% to 27%.

The partnership between the countries is based on complementary strengths. Brazil contributes a largely renewable electricity matrix and industrial hubs near strategic ports such as Santos, Rio Grande, Itaqui, Pecém, Açu and Navegantes. Norway provides advanced maritime technology and has already approved the world’s first low-emission ammonia bunkering terminal. The Netherlands brings Rotterdam’s logistics infrastructure and experience in alternative technologies.

According to Astrid Hoem, state secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment, the combination of Brazil’s energy sector and Norway’s maritime industry creates a strategic partnership for the decarbonization of shipping. She noted, however, that the main challenge remains building economically viable business models.

The study identifies as a structural obstacle the fact that most bulk carriers operate in the spot market, without long-term contracts, making it harder to invest in infrastructure and specialized fleets. Its recommendations include the creation of consortia involving shipowners, cargo owners, ports, producers and governments, as well as long-term purchase agreements.

On the Brazilian side, Tetsu Koike, a director at the Ministry of Ports and Airports, said the main bottleneck is not a lack of investment or regulation, but coordination among the actors involved. According to him, specific legislation for sustainable marine fuels still needs to be approved. In parallel with the study, the three countries plan to launch a joint R&D call in 2026, in partnership with Finep, worth about R$450 million for research into fuels and technologies aimed at green routes.

Source: Valor Econômico

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