Odfjell

Odfjell is a Norwegian shipping and logistics company founded in 1914, headquartered in Bergen. It specializes in the transportation of chemicals and bulk liquids, with a global fleet and terminal network. Odfjell is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

Odfjell is one of Bergen’s long-established shipping enterprises. Captain Berent Daniel Olsen moved to Bergen in 1890, and his sons Fredrik, Abraham and Andreas established a joint shipowning company in 1914. A ship-management company followed in 1915, and in 1917 the brothers took over AS DS Storli. Their three interlocked rings became the company’s enduring maritime emblem. At the beginning of World War II, Odfjell managed seven vessels. The German occupation divided the fleet: ships in Norwegian home waters were compelled to serve the occupying authorities, while vessels operating abroad came under Nortraship, the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission. Two of the three home-fleet vessels were lost, with 41 fatalities. Three of the four Nortraship vessels survived; the fourth was lost while requisitioned by France and operating with a French crew. Following the war, ownership and management passed to the next generation, including Bernt Daniel Odfjell and Johan Odvar Odfjell. In the 1950s, the company combined general cargo liner operations with small-tanker activities. During the 1960s, it shifted decisively toward specialized chemical tankers. MT Lind, built by Stord Verft, was a landmark vessel and is described as the world’s first purpose-built stainless-steel tanker. Odfjell created Minde Chartering in 1963 and entered tank-terminal and offshore-drilling activities, opening its first tank terminal in Buenos Aires in 1969. The oil shock and shipping downturn after 1973 created severe industry pressure, but the company’s chemical-tanker specialization offered some protection because new regulatory requirements made it difficult to convert conventional ships into compliant chemical carriers. A family reorganization became effective on 1 March 1980. Bernt Daniel and Dan Odfjell assumed the deep-sea chemical tanker and terminal interests, while Johan Odvar and Abraham Odfjell took responsibility for smaller tankers and offshore drilling. The resulting business pursued consolidation and fleet growth, partnering with Westfal-Larsen, establishing a Houston terminal, ordering new vessels and acquiring second-hand tonnage. Its main corporate vehicle, S/A Storli, was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 1986. During the 1990s, Odfjell expanded internationally, replaced Westfal-Larsen with National Chemical Carriers as a chemical-tanker partner, entered Asian markets and developed regional operations in Asia and the Americas. In 1998, S/A Storli changed its name to Odfjell ASA and introduced the corporate logo still associated with the group. In 2000, Odfjell Tankers merged with Seachem, adding approximately 20 vessels and creating one of the world’s largest chemical-tanker operators at that time. Odfjell also acquired the Botlek Tank Terminal in Rotterdam and renamed it Odfjell Terminals (Rotterdam). Expansion continued through the 2000s and 2010s across deep-sea shipping, short-sea services and terminals. Odfjell re-entered gas carriers in 2012 through two second-hand LPG/ethylene vessels. From 2015 to 2016, management concentrated on cost control, efficiency and rebuilding competitiveness. The group later narrowed its scope, exiting gas carriers and Asian short-sea shipping in 2021 to focus on deep-sea chemical transportation. Recent strategy has combined fleet modernization with sustainability and resilience. Odfjell joined the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Ocean Principles and the Getting to Zero Coalition, established climate and diversity goals, and connected sustainability indicators to financing. The company has reported substantial reductions in fleet carbon intensity relative to the International Maritime Organization’s 2008 reference level. It has continued ordering and chartering new chemical tankers, developing digital tools, strengthening cybersecurity and adapting routes to geopolitical risks. Its 2025 use of suction sails and sustainable biofuel on Bow Olympus represented a practical test of wind assistance and lower-carbon propulsion in commercial chemical shipping.

• 2025

  Wind-assisted propulsion trial

  [2]Odfjell official websiteodfjell.com

  Bow Olympus completed an Atlantic crossing using suction sails and later bunkered with certified sustainable biofuel.

• 2021

  Deep-sea strategic refocus

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  Odfjell exited gas carriers and Asian short-sea trades, concentrating its portfolio on deep-sea chemical shipping.

• 2012

  Return to gas carriers

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  Odfjell re-entered gas shipping through the acquisition of two LPG/ethylene carriers.

• 2000

  Merger with Seachem

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  The merger between Odfjell Tankers and Seachem added approximately 20 ships and strengthened Odfjell’s global chemical-tanker position.

• 1998

  Name changed to Odfjell ASA

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  S/A Storli adopted the Odfjell ASA name and introduced the modern corporate logo.

• 1986

  Public listing

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  S/A Storli was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange to support investment and expansion.

• 1980

  Family business split becomes effective

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  The family’s shipping interests were divided between the deep-sea chemical tanker and terminal business and the smaller-tanker and offshore-rig activities.

• 1969

  First tank terminal opened

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  Odfjell opened the TAGSA tank terminal in Buenos Aires, marking its entry into terminal operations.

• 1963

  Minde Chartering established

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  Odfjell created its own chartering department, supporting a more integrated shipping business.

• 1917

  Acquisition of AS DS Storli

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  The brothers took over the shipping company AS DS Storli.

• 1915

  Ship-management company incorporated

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  Fredrik and Abraham Odfjell incorporated AS Rederiet Odfjell.

• 1914

  First Odfjell joint shipowning company registered

  [1]Odfjellen.wikipedia.org

  Fredrik, Abraham and Andreas Odfjell established the family’s first joint shipowning company, creating the institutional foundation of the later Odfjell Group.

A specialized, globally integrated chemical-shipping and maritime logistics provider positioned around cargo flexibility, operational safety, technical tanker expertise, terminal connectivity and lower-carbon fleet development.

• Maritime freight

  Chemical tanker transportation

  Odfjell’s core offering is global transportation of specialty bulk liquids. Its stainless-steel and coated tankers can carry a diverse cargo mix, including organic and inorganic chemicals, acids, edible oils, animal fats, alcohols and clean petroleum products. The fleet is deployed in deep-sea and selected regional trades and serves large chemical manufacturers, oil companies, traders and logistics providers.

• Ship management

  Odfjell Ship Management

  Odfjell Ship Management provides integrated support covering fleet management, crewing, procurement, logistics, technology, newbuilding and quality, health, safety, security and environmental functions. The service supports both Odfjell’s deep-sea fleet and vessels operating in regional trades.

• Tank storage · 1969

  Odfjell Terminals

  The terminal business provides storage and handling infrastructure for bulk liquids. Odfjell operates or participates in terminals in the United States, South Korea and Belgium, and has links to additional terminals in South America. The network connects shore-based storage with the group’s chemical-tanker services.

• Maritime decarbonization technology · 2025

  Wind-assisted vessel propulsion

  Odfjell is testing technologies intended to lower fuel use and emissions from commercial tankers. In 2025, Bow Olympus used suction sails supplied by Bound4Blue during an Atlantic crossing, alongside certified sustainable biofuel on its return voyage.

• 2025Bow Olympus suction-sail demonstration

  Atlantic trade

  The company demonstrated wind-assisted propulsion on a commercial chemical tanker through the use of suction sails.

  Outcome. The voyage served as a fleet decarbonization milestone and informed Odfjell’s plans for additional technology deployment.

  Source
• 2020Climate and diversity program

  Global

  Odfjell established targets covering climate action and diversity, appointed a Chief Sustainability Officer and incorporated sustainability objectives into parts of its financing framework.

  Outcome. The program became part of the group’s broader fleet-efficiency, decarbonization and governance agenda.

  Source
• 2020Sustainable Ocean Principles participation

  Global

  Odfjell joined the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Ocean Principles and related maritime sustainability initiatives.

  Outcome. The commitment supported the company’s public positioning around responsible ocean operations and decarbonization.

  Source

• 2023

  Reroute vessels around Red Sea riskOther

  Background

  Attacks on commercial shipping created heightened risks to crews and vessels in the Red Sea.

  Action taken

  Odfjell rerouted affected ships to prioritize safety.

  Aftermath

  The decision reflected the company’s broader emphasis on operational resilience and geopolitical risk management.

  Source

• 2021

  Refocus on deep-sea chemical shippingStrategy

  Background

  The company reviewed its portfolio amid pandemic disruption and changing trade conditions.

  Action taken

  Odfjell exited gas carriers and withdrew from short-sea trade in Asia.

  Aftermath

  The group concentrated capital and management attention on its core deep-sea chemical-tanker business.

  Source

• 2015

  Launch chemical-tanker cost programStrategy

  Background

  The chemical tanker market was challenging and the company sought to improve financial performance and competitiveness.

  Action taken

  The board launched a cost-cutting and operational-improvement program.

  Aftermath

  Odfjell reported improved performance and competitiveness by 2017.

  Source

• 2000

  Merge Odfjell Tankers with SeachemM&A

  Background

  Both companies were significant operators in chemical tankers and could strengthen their market position through combination.

  Action taken

  Odfjell merged its tanker business with Seachem, adding approximately 20 ships.

  Aftermath

  The combined operation became one of the largest chemical-tanker operators globally at the time.

  Source

• 1980

  Separate the family’s shipping businessesStrategy

  Background

  Differences in outlook and difficult market conditions led the Odfjell family to reorganize its activities.

  Action taken

  The deep-sea chemical tanker and terminal interests were separated from the smaller-tanker and offshore-rig businesses.

  Aftermath

  The chemical-tanker business subsequently pursued consolidation, fleet investment and a public listing.

  Source

1. 1Odfjellen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Odfjell official websiteodfjell.com