Brazilian ports ally for decarbonization goals

Several of Brazil's main ports launched the Alliance for Decarbonization initiative, aimed at reducing emissions and boosting use of cleaner maritime fuels such as biobunkers and green hydrogen.

The group has been working since 6 March and has 36 participants, including ports, associations, companies, terminals, unions, public bodies and start-ups. Major ports such Itaqui, Paranagua and Suape are part of the alliance.

The Pecem, Acu, Rio Grande, Cabedelo and Rio de Janeiro ports also joined the initiative.

Latin America's largest port Santos showed interest in the project but has yet to sign up, Itaqui's environmental manager and alliance coordinator Luane Lemos told Argus.

The Spanish maritime alliance for net zero inspired the project and one of its members — the Valencia port — is a signatory to the Brazilian initiative.

The group did not disclose a total estimate of how much greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions it plans to reduce.

It main goals include exchanging information and ensuring baseline knowledge for participants about decarbonization matters, Lemos said.

Another key point for the alliance is to accelerate the energy transition, as some ports have developed projects to mitigate emissions but struggle to find adequate equipment and labor.

The members could also use the alliance to research and finance green hydrogen projects, she said.

Itaqui spearheaded the initiative after releasing its decarbonization plan in late 2023.

The port has a partnership with its counterpart in Valencia to reach net zero.

State-controlled Petrobras' distribution arm Transpetro — which is part of the group — is talking with Itaqui to begin a pilot project to reach zero emissions at one of the loading docks its operates there, Lemos said.

"One of Transpetro's proposals is to think how we would bring green bunker to Maranhao state to fuel berthed vessels," she added. If approved, the project would start in the second half of 2024.

By Laura Guedes