Torvald Klaveness 2016–2026: Digitalization, decarbonization and re-definition
Part 8 of an 8-part story through the decades to mark our 80th anniversary
As Klaveness entered its eighth decade, the direction set during the previous period began to take shape. The combination carrier business prepared to enter new markets, digital initiatives moved closer to customers, and the foundations of the Klaveness business we know today was beginning to emerge.
Over the next ten years, many of these initiatives would evolve into focused businesses in their own right. New partnerships were formed, new capabilities were developed and a clearer picture began to take shape of where Klaveness could create the greatest value for customers.
A new generation of combination carriers
In 2018, Klaveness Combination Carriers was established as a separate company and began trading on the Norwegian stock exchange, creating a dedicated platform for the combination carrier business and its continued development.
At the same time, KCC was preparing to enter new markets. The following year, MV Baru became the first of eight CLEANBU vessels to enter service. The new generation extended the combination carrier concept into clean petroleum products while retaining the ability to carry dry bulk cargoes.
While the CLEANBUs expanded the concept into new trades, development of the original CABU business continued. Alongside this, KCC embarked on an ambitious energy efficiency project to further improve the carbon footprint of its fleet, and cement its position as a global leader in low-carbon deep-sea shipping in the tanker and dry bulk segment. The decade closed with the delivery of three third-generation CABU vessels in 2026, representing the latest evolution of the combination carrier concept first introduced at the start of the new millennium.
From a digitalized Klaveness to Klaveness Digital
What began as an experiment to explore how technology and data could improve shipping gradually developed into solutions with real value to customers. CargoValue was developed as a commercial software platform to help industrial customers improve coordination across complex seaborne supply chains. In 2017, Klaveness Digital was established as a separate company, initially built around that single product.
At the same time, new digital capabilities were emerging elsewhere in the group. Klaveness Dry Bulk developed tools to improve freight decisions and commercial performance, while an initiative called ZeroLab explored how technology and new business models could help customers meet the challenge of decarbonization.
Over time, these efforts increasingly came together within Klaveness Digital. What began as a single software solution evolved into a broader digital business, developing and commercializing tools that help customers make better decisions and improve supply chain performance.
New partnerships and investments
In its dry bulk business, Klaveness increasingly focused on the areas where it believed it could create the greatest value for customers: building long-term partnerships, developing innovative pool solutions, and using data and technology to support better commercial decisions.
That direction was reinforced in 2020 through the partnership with Marubeni Corporation to operate the Baumarine Panamax pool, which entered a new phase in 2023 when Marubeni acquired a 25% stake in Klaveness Dry Bulk.
The wider Klaveness portfolio was also being reshaped. Some activities were sold, and new partnerships were formed as Klaveness increasingly focused its resources on the areas where it believed it could create the greatest long-term value. To support this approach, a dedicated investment team and holding structure were established to provide active ownership and support the continued development of the group's businesses.
Klaveness was no longer one company pursuing many different activities. It was increasingly becoming a group of focused businesses, each developing a distinct role.
Defining a shared direction: trading efficiency
From our first steps in 1946 to marking our 80th anniversary in 2026, Torvald Klaveness has evolved into a group spanning combination carriers, dry bulk shipping, digital services and strategic investments. While each business has a distinct role, they remain connected by a common ambition: finding better ways to create value for customers and improve the efficiency of seaborne trade.
The next 10 years will see our concept of trading efficiency increasingly provide the direction for how we approach the challenges facing our industry. Building on deep maritime expertise, innovative shipping solutions and digital capabilities, we will continue to develop businesses and services designed to support more resilient, decarbonized and cost-effective supply chains.