Mon 2 Oct 2017 07:49

Norden's new knowledge centre hailed for driving fuel efficiency


Dry Cargo division says it has benefited from the advice provided by the firm's fuel efficiency specialists.



D/S Norden says its Dry Cargo division is benfiting from the company's recently established knowledge centre, which has provided it with advice regarding the efficiency of vessels, and therefore helped reduce bunker consumption.

Commenting on the work of the new knowledge centre, the head of Norden's new Supramax North America team, Gregers Blaabjerg, said: "It is a great advantage to us that we are able to draw on the knowledge gathered in the centre - not least the Fuel Efficiency team, who provides us [sic] with many relevant pieces of information when we are to charter in a vessel, and who prevent us from burning our fingers because we get hold of a vessel which consumes too much fuel."

Norden's knowledge centre is manned by experts in risk assessment, market analysis, fuel efficiency and law. The centre is physically located in the middle of the company's Dry Cargo Department in Hellerup, Denmark, but is never more than a phone call or computer message away from charterers and operators - including the ones in overseas offices. The centre serves as a resource for all teams.

Supramax North America is one of nine new teams in the Dry Cargo Department that is authorized to make decisions on its own; the new set-up is designed to provide transparency regarding the results generated by each team and increased responsibility and independence.

"It strengthens the work in the team to know that although we are independent, we have the great advantage that we are part of Norden, and I mean the entire Norden. We can always draw on other colleagues, who have the exact knowledge - or can quickly gather it - that we are after in connection with a future business transaction," Blaabjerg explained.

Christian Vinther Christensen, Head of Dry Cargo, remarked: "To survive, Norden must adjust and meet customer requirements at all times and in that connection continuously find or take part in creating innovative commercial solutions - most often out-of-the-box solutions - that generate value not only to the customers, but also to Norden. Also here it is to Norden's advantage that we have employees around the world with different skillsets, characteristics and backgrounds, just as we have now set up a knowledge centre containing all relevant competencies within risk management, fuel efficiency, research, law and claims prevention. All this is a good starting point for being innovative."

As Bunker Index previously reported, Norden said in August that its cost-cutting initiative to produce annual savings of $20 million within a three-year period by year-end 2017 was "on track". The company noted that it had managed to realize annual savings of $18.1 million by the end of the second quarter of 2017.

Between 2014 and 2016, Norden says it slashed its bunker fuel costs by $24.9 million thanks to the fuel efficiency measures it has put in place.


Lease agreement between Inter Terminals Sweden and the Port of Gothenburg, signed on July 1st. Pictured: Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Port of Gothenburg (left) and Johan Zettergren, Managing Director of Inter Terminals Sweden (right). New Gothenburg lease an opportunity to expand green portfolio: Inter Terminals  

Bunker terminal operator eyes tank conversion and construction projects for renewable products.

Map of US Gulf. Peninsula extends US Gulf operation offshore  

Supplier to focus on Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) in strategy to serve growing client base.

The M/T Jutlandia Swan, operated by Uni-Tankers. Uni-Tankers vessel gets wind-assisted propulsion  

Fourth tanker sails with VentoFoil units as manufacturer says suction wing technology is gaining traction.

Port of Gothenburg Energy Port. Swedish biomethane bunkered in Gothenburg  

Test delivery performed by St1 and St1 Biokraft, who aim to become large-scale suppliers.

Image from Cockett Marine Oil presentation. Cockett to be closed down after 45 years  

End of an era as shareholders make decision based on 'non-core nature' of Cockett's business.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras confirms prompt availability of VLS B24 at Rio Grande  

Lead time for barge deliveries currently five days.

Opening of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 83rd Session, April 7, 2025. IMO approves pricing mechanism based on GHG intensity thresholds  

Charges to be levied on ships that do not meet yearly GHG fuel intensity reduction targets.

Preemraff Göteborg, Preem's wholly owned refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. VARO Energy expands renewable portfolio with Preem acquisition  

All-cash transaction expected to complete in the latter half of 2025.

Pictured: Biofuel is supplied to NYK Line's Noshiro Maru. The vessel tested biofuel for Tohoku Electric Power in a landmark first for Japan. NYK trials biofuel in milestone coal carrier test  

Vessel is used to test biofuel for domestic utility company.

Pictured (from left): H-Line Shipping CEO Seo Myungdeuk and HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol at the contract signing ceremony for the construction of an 18,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel. H-Line Shipping orders LNG bunkering vessel  

Vessel with 18,000-cbm capacity to run on both LNG and MDO.


↑  Back to Top