Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 8, Australia’s CBH Group, a leading agricultural cooperative, has partnered with shipping companies Norden and Oldendorff to launch the country’s first biofuels insetting pilot project. The initiative focuses on transporting Western Australian (WA) grain to the European Union (EU) using waste-based biofuel voyages and book-and-claim solutions, aligning with sustainable practices.

The pilot project, reported on August 8, 2025, has completed eight voyages from Western Australia to Europe, utilizing biofuels to power the shipments. Norden noted: “The biofuel-powered voyages had achieved significant emission reductions compared to traditional fossil fuels, at no additional cost to WA growers.” This approach supports compliance with new EU regulations affecting ships over 5,000 gross tonnage at European ports, ensuring market access for WA grain.

Pia Van Wyngaard, CBH Head of Shipping, emphasized the cooperative’s commitment to sustainability, stating: “We’re proud to be involved with projects that reduce our environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiencies and maximising value for WA growers.” She added: “Customers, governments, and communities are expecting stronger sustainability efforts, and we are working to ensure WA growers remain competitive and can readily meet our customers’ needs.”

The initiative builds on CBH’s prior experience with biofuels. In 2022, CBH collaborated with Oldendorff on a trial voyage from the Albany Grain Terminal in Western Australia to Vietnam. The 38,600 dwt vessel, carrying 30,000 tonnes of sustainably certified malting barley, used biofuel supplied by BP. Van Wyngaard noted: “These initiatives allow us to lower our carbon footprint for access to key markets such as Europe, and support CBH’s broader sustainability plan.”

The pilot leverages the expertise of Norden and Oldendorff to integrate biofuels into CBH’s maritime supply chain, reducing emissions without compromising efficiency. The project supports WA growers by maintaining cost-effectiveness while meeting international sustainability expectations, particularly in the EU market.

This effort marks a significant step in Australia’s agricultural sector toward greener supply chains, enhancing the competitiveness of WA grain exports while contributing to global sustainability goals.