Berge Bulk offsets the carbon emissions of a recent voyage from USA to Chile, carrying a cargo of corn gluten meal for customer Emporos.
Berge Bulk and Emporos have successfully completed a carbon offset voyage, transporting 29,095 tonnes of corn gluten meal from Darrow, Louisiana, USA to Puerto Montt, Chile.
The cargo was carried by Berge Bulk’s 37,687 DWT handy-size vessel, the Berge Scafell Pike, highlighting the company’s commitment to investing in climate impact. Commencing on 27th February 2024, the voyage, consumed 577 tonnes of fuel, resulting in 1,800 tonnes of carbon emissions. To offset the environmental impact of the voyage, Berge Bulk and Emporos utilised carbon credits from the Cordillera Azul REDD+ Project, a forest protection project in Peru. The credits were purchased on the Climate Impact X (CIX) Marketplace and retired to offset the voyage emissions.
The Cordillera Azul National Park REDD+ Project protects 1,351,964 hectares of central Peru’s lowland and mountain forests against deforestation. The project area is home to more than 6,000 different species of plants and 1,000 different species of animals.
“We are proud to partner with clients like Emporos, who share our values and understand the importance of taking voluntary climate action today. We look forward to initiating more carbon offset voyages with other like-minded partners in the future.”
Duncan Bond, Chief Commercial Officer, Berge Bulk
Claas Grafe, CEO, of Emporos shares his thoughts about the collaboration:
“Emporos proudly upholds environmental consciousness as one of our core principles. We’re excited to announce our collaboration with Berge Bulk to deliver carbon offset voyages for cargoes through our carrier network. This partnership, rooted in shared values, paves the way for a more sustainable future in dry bulk trading.”
Claas Grafe, CEO, Emporos
This news follows a string of other decarbonisation efforts announced by Berge Bulk in recent months. In October 2023, Berge Bulk unveiled four BARTech WindWings on Newcastlemax vessel Berge Olympus. In March 2024, Berge Bulk announced the order of two ammonia-fuelled bulkers to be delivered in 2027. Last week, the company introduced new vessel, the Berge Mauna Kea, the first of four hyper-efficient sister ships being delivered by Imabari Shipbuilding over the course of 2024. In addition, Berge Bulk has also made a commitment to plant 25 million trees by 2026.
James Marshall, Berge Bulk’s Founder and CEO, emphasised the importance of taking immediate climate action, stating:
“Of course, the optimal scenario involves transporting cargo using a zero-emissions vessel, powered by non-hydrocarbon fuel. With our recent announcements about our commitment to wind technology and ammonia-powered ships, we believe we can get there soon. But in the meantime, investing in high quality carbon credits from impactful forestry projects like Cordillera Azul is an important way that we can take climate action today.”
James Marshall, CEO and Founder, Berge Bulk
Mikkel Larsen, Chief Executive Officer of Climate Impact X (CIX) added:
“We are proud to be working with an innovator in the shipping industry on their climate change strategy. Berge Bulk’s focus on using quality carbon credit projects as one part of their initiatives and pathway to reach zero emissions fleetwide by 2050 demonstrates the leadership and action we all need to address the urgency of climate change.”
Mikkel Larsen, CEO, Climate Impact X
Three Key Milestones
Berge Bulk has set an ambitious decarbonisation timeline which consists of three key milestones…
- Offset 100% of scope-1 carbon emissions from 2025.
- Build and operate a zero-emissions vessel by 2030.
- Achieve zero emissions fleetwide by 2050.
Four Pillar Plan
To meet this timeline, Berge Bulk has developed the four-pillar “Maritime Marshall Plan”. The plan focuses on:
- improving fleet efficiency;
- leveraging the latest maritime technology;
- converting to new fuels;
- capturing the remaining carbon directly or indirectly.
Offsetting All Emissions From 2025
Along the journey to a zero-emissions fleet by 2050, Berge Bulk has made a voluntary commitment to offset 100% of their scope-1 CO2 emissions from fuel consumed on Berge Bulk vessels from 2025 onward. “This means that for every tonne of CO2 that our vessels emit, we will be retiring a one-tonne carbon credit to offset it” explains James Marshall, Berge Bulk’s Founder and CEO.
Berge Bulk has already made substantial progress towards this 2025 commitment, having offset 25% of their fuel emissions in 2022 and 2023, in addition to offsetting all emissions from their office electricity and air travel for the past two years.
About Berge Bulk
SAFE | EFFICIENT | SUSTAINABLE
Berge Bulk is one of the world’s leading independent dry bulk owners and has an outstanding record for its reliable, safe and efficient delivery of commodities around the world. Starting out with 12 vessels in 2007, the company now owns, operates, and manages a fleet of 90 safe and fuel-efficient vessels, equating to more than 15 million DWT.
Berge Bulk’s vision is to lead the world to a zero-carbon future through safe, efficient and sustainable shipping.
More information about Berge Bulk’s Carbon Offset Voyage programme
About Emporos
As the sole carbon-neutral freight trader in the market, Emporos ensures all cargo deliveries are GHG offset, with a particular focus on American grain freight sales. Combined with a risk-adverse AI freight strategy, Emporos offers a unique model of freight hedges and services to traders worldwide.
About Climate Impact X
Climate Impact X (CIX) is a global marketplace, auctions house, and exchange for trusted carbon credits and a growing suite of environmental commodities. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in London, CIX’s mission is to create real climate impact by turning trust in carbon credits into tangible and actionable outcomes. The company is uniquely positioned to cater to all major user requirements in the carbon markets ecosystem, with its suite of solutions customised for the widest range of corporate end-user, investor and intermediary needs.
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About Cordillera Azul REDD+ Project
The Cordillera Azul National Park REDD+ Project protects 1,351,964 hectares of central Peru’s lowland and mountain forests against deforestation. The project area is home to more than 6,000 different species of plants and 1,000 different species of animals.
Prior to the start of the project, the neighbouring communities mainly made a living through subsistence agriculture activities that resulted in deforestation. As such, the project has attempted to alleviate this problem by introducing other sustainable forms of livelihoods to provide them with sustainable income.
Over its lifetime, the Cordillera Azul REDD+ Project has reduced emissions from deforestation by nearly 50 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), protected seven endangered species, and engaged 17,000 people from 54 communities involved in the project’s activities.
Further Information:
For media inquiries, please contact
PINKY LEONG
Senior Communications Manager
Berge Bulk
pinky.leong@bergebulk.com