The award recognizes Laurence’s long-standing commitment to strengthening maritime ties between Norway and Brazil. In his acceptance speech, he reflected on Odfjell’s more than 50 years of shipping and terminal operations in Brazil, underscoring the company’s enduring investment in the region:
"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of my family and the Odfjell Group. This award is a recognition of my family's engagement over many years. My father started investing in Brazil more than 50 years ago, my uncle ran our Brazilian tank terminal business in the country for about 40 years, and key people, such as Knut Øvrebø and Ary Serpa Jr. in the Odfjell Group, Flumar Transportes de Quimicos e Gases Ltda. and Granel Química, have been instrumental in building our footprint in the country over many decades. Trade develops friendships, prosperity and peace. We are a perfect example of this. We need trade, not tariffs."
The award ceremony was part of Brazil@Nor-Shipping, ABRAN’s flagship event, which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary alongside Nor-Shipping’s 60th. The event featured a two-day conference including panels on green corridors, offshore innovation, and bilateral cooperation. Among the speakers was CEO Harald Fotland, who highlighted Odfjell’s activities in the country and the strong partnership between the maritime industries in Brazil and Norway.
ABRAN—the Brazilian Association of Norwegian Shipowners—is a nonprofit organization established in 2013 by Norwegian shipping companies and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. Its mission is to coordinate Norwegian shipowners in Brazil and foster a sustainable and profitable business environment within the country.
