Berge Bulk - Experts & Thought Leaders

Pioneering shipping companies are joining forces to combat ocean plastic pollution through the launch of the Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS): a new industry alliance driving measurable reductions in plastic and operational waste at scale. Founded by Seven Clean Seas (SCS), an ocean impact organisation, MACS unites founding members, including Berge Bulk, X-Press Feeders, and others from across the global maritime value chain. Oceans underpin global trade and face mounting plastic challenges Oceans carry around 90% of global trade and provide livelihoods for more than 2 million seafarers worldwide. Yet they face unprecedented pressure, with 14 million tonnes of plastic entering and damaging marine ecosystems every year. While the maritime sector contributes only a small fraction of this pollution, even isolated cargo losses or poor waste handling on board or quayside can have serious consequences which could be prevented, especially with plastic pellets, films and light packaging.  By advancing best practices, innovation, and collaboration across the value chain, the industry can play a pivotal role in reducing plastic leakage and protecting the very waters it relies on. A pivotal moment for maritime sustainability MACS builds on the IMO’s established Plastic Marine Litter Action Plan and responds to the growing global sentiment for coordinated, industry-wide action on plastic pollution. As scrutiny around environmental and community impact intensifies, MACS creates a unified front for maritime players to reduce plastic use, share best practices, and inspire change across adjacent sectors with even larger plastic footprints. Collective action for measurable impact MACS builds on SCS’s track record of tackling plastic pollution at its source. Operating in some of the world’s most polluted coastal regions, SCS develops holistic certified recovery projects that not only recover ocean plastic but also deliver fair employment and community impact on the ground. The Association brings maritime leaders together to tackle two core objectives of ocean plastic recovery at scale and waste reduction across the maritime value chain, with the initial focus for 2026 on three key areas: Sustainable procurement and material use; Vessel waste measurement and reduction; And improved portside waste reception. IMO’s 2030 Action Plan These efforts align directly with the IMO’s 2030 Action Plan. It also marks a key milestone in SCS’ mission to recover 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic and improve 200,000 lives by 2030, proving how targeted collaboration can drive systemic change and inspire far-reaching environmental progress. “Seven Clean Seas has always believed in collective action as the most powerful lever for change,” said Tom Peacock-Nazil, Founder & Chairman of MACS. “With MACS, we’re providing the maritime industry with the tools it needs to make measurable progress against plastic pollution. Not in isolation, but together.” Driving systemic change through collaboration Founding members Berge Bulk, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), X-Press Feeders, and Britoil Offshore Services represent a cross-section of the global maritime sector, from bulk carriers and ship management to offshore operations. Their participation reflects a shared commitment to operational excellence, environmental leadership, and data transparency. “At Berge Bulk, the oceans are at the heart of our business, so we have always felt an obligation to protect them and a responsibility to keep them clean,” said Michael Blanding, Head of Sustainability & Communications. “Our long-standing work with SCS has already delivered tangible results, and through MACS, we’re proud to help lead a united industry response that can achieve change at scale.” Improvements across the maritime ecosystem Francis Goh, Chief Operating Officer of X-Press Feeders, added, “As a global shipping company, we recognise the responsibility we have to safeguard the oceans that sustain global trade." "Our collaboration with SCS goes back several years and joining MACS is a natural extension of our sustainability journey which goes beyond reducing emissions to also address the waste and plastic challenges facing our shared environment. Together with our peers, we can make practical, lasting improvements across the maritime ecosystem.” Advance responsible operations “Our work begins and ends with the sea, and with that comes a responsibility to protect it,” said Florent Kirchhoff, Chief Executive Officer of Britoil Offshore Services. “Through this partnership with MACS, Britoil aims to advance responsible operations through collaboration, reflecting our shared care for the oceans and the ingenuity that drives us to find solutions for a better future.” Future for the maritime industry Elena Pantazidou, HR Director & Board Member of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, commented, “At Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, we believe that safeguarding our oceans is not just a responsibility but a commitment to future generations. Joining forces as a founding member of the Maritime Association for Clean Seas reflects our dedication to driving sustainable practices across the maritime industry.” MACS welcomes members who wish to play an active role in shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for the maritime industry and the oceans that sustain it.

Confirmation that a propulsion system retrofit is achieving fuel savings of 10 percent has persuaded Norwegian shipowner, Arriva to go ahead with its second ‘Energy & Efficiency’ project with Berg Propulsion. In January this year, long-established Berg Propulsion customer Arriva upgraded the general cargo vessel Norjarl (5,335 gt) to include Berg’s MPC800 control system and Dynamic Drive. The project sought to optimise energy use at a reduced operating speed so that the 2009-built ship would retain its competitive edge in shipping’s low-carbon era. State-of-the-art control technology Monitoring over several months to track Norjarl’s performance in the North Sea and Baltic Sea has confirmed overall fuel savings of above 10 percent, according to Arriva. The results have led the owner to contract a second Berg retrofit involving the 4,183 gt general cargo carrier Norbris. “The Norjarl project showed the impact introducing state-of-the-art control technology could have when an existing ship is designed and maintained to the highest standards,” said Paul Helland, Technical Manager, Arriva Shipping. “After verifying the gains, we move forward with Norbris.” Berg Propulsion ERC2000 technology Installed with a MAN 6L32/40 engine, Norjarl previously featured propulsion control from another supplier. In the case of Norbris, built in 2002, the MPC800 control unit and Dynamic Drive will supersede existing Berg Propulsion ERC2000 technology to work with the ship’s MaK 6M32C engine. In both cases, the combination of Dynamic Drive and auxiliary generators provides an economical route to flexibility in engine speed control, said Magnus Thorén, Energy & Efficiency Sales Manager, Berg Propulsion. Installation and performance evaluation “We have installed control systems and the Dynamic Drive solution on board several Arriva newbuilds, and the owner has become a key Berg Propulsion customer in Norway,” said Magnus Thorén. He adds, “The Norjarl retrofit involved close collaboration through installation and performance evaluation, so it is especially pleasing that the owner is confirming that the thinking behind the first project has been borne out by experience to drive a second.” Energy & Efficiency projects helped owners extend the life of pre-2010 ships to compete at a time of volatile fuel costs, emissions trading and carbon intensity ratings, added Thorén. Modern control and drive technology The follow-up project is also a notable success for Saga Marine, which represents Berg Propulsion in Norway. Eirik Lutnaes, Saga Marine, said: “There are plenty of good quality ships out there with the potential to perform cost-effectively, competitively and sustainably using modern control and drive technology. We are delighted to work with Berg Propulsion in support of Arriva’s fleet renewal strategy.”

Berge Bulk, one of the world’s independent dry bulk owners, and Sofar Ocean, a San Francisco-based maritime technology company, announced that Berge Bulk has adopted Sofar’s Wayfinder platform across its fleet of owned vessels, including new vessels equipped with wind propulsion technology. Wayfinder Berge Bulk uses Wayfinder’s dynamic voyage optimisation to save fuel, time, and emissions, supporting the carrier’s “Maritime Marshall Plan” decarbonisation strategy. Wayfinder leverages the most accurate marine weather forecasts powered by Sofar’s global network of ocean sensors and data-driven vessel performance models that are continuously calibrated using the best available weather and vessel data.  Maritime Marshall Plan "Using innovative technology to boost vessel efficiency is key to our 'Maritime Marshall Plan' for decarbonisation," said James Marshall, founder and CEO of Berge Bulk. "Sofar's Wayfinder helps us understand fleet performance and importantly improves the vessel's route optimisation as we aim for a zero-emissions fleet."   Saves fuel and emissions “By reducing uncertainty in the weather predictions, Wayfinder delivers significant efficiency gains immediately and does so voyage after voyage, saving an average of 4-6% on fuel and emissions,” said Tim Janssen, co-founder and CEO of Sofar Ocean. “We are excited about the role of Wayfinder in supporting new technologies to drive the energy transition, and look forward to partnering with Berge Bulk on its journey to decarbonisation.”  Scope 1 emissions Berge Bulk’s adoption of Wayfinder is the latest in a series of decarbonisation initiatives Berge Bulk’s adoption of Wayfinder is the latest in a series of decarbonisation initiatives aimed at achieving zero scope 1 emissions fleetwide by 2050. In the past year, Berge Bulk has equipped two ships, Newcastlemax vessel Berge Olympus and Valemax carrier Berge Neblina with wind propulsion technology.  Performance optimisation Wayfinder is used on both sail-assisted vessels to maximise the benefits of the sails on efficiency. As Berge Bulk outfits more vessels with wind propulsion and invests in additional decarbonisation initiatives like alternative fuels, it will utilise Wayfinder to help measure and optimise the performance of each new technology.  RPM guidance The data-driven weather models greatly reduce forecast uncertainty and increase vessel performance Wayfinder provides dynamic route and RPM guidance that accounts for variations in weather, market, and vessel performance. Wayfinder uses Sofar’s superior weather forecasts, powered by its proprietary global ocean sensor network. These data-driven weather models greatly reduce forecast uncertainty and increase vessel performance model accuracy, ensuring Wayfinder keeps vessels on the most efficient path to port.  Vessel performance and voyage optimisation “Better weather data and forecasts are a cornerstone to unlock superior vessel performance models and voyage optimisation,” said Janssen. “Our partnership with Berge Bulk is built on this philosophy and we are committed to helping prepare its fleet for a present and future defined by decarbonisation." "We know that there is no silver bullet for getting to net zero, but are confident that voyage optimisation is a stepping stone technology to support the efficient rollout of new, green technologies.”