The Port of Acu's planned natural gas hub will help to "reindustrialize" Brazil thanks to new legislation creating a wholesale gas market, the port's management says.
"The new gas law lays the groundwork for Brazil to begin the process of reindustrialization," says Acu chief executive Jose Firmo, asserting that Brazilian industry has struggled to compete globally because of relatively high domestic gas prices.
The port features one of Brazil's two independent LNG regasification terminals, which is operated by Porto de Acu's sister company Gas Natural Acu (GNA). The terminal, which received its first LNG cargo earlier this year, supplies the GNA 1 power station and will dedicate spare capacity to supply industries in the port complex.
Although initial supply will come from LNG, Firmo said the port is preparing to receive offshore gas as well.
Last week, the company held public hearings in anticipation of securing an environmental permit for a gas pipeline linking the port to the Cabiunas terminal, which receives offshore gas transported via the Rota 2 subsea pipeline.
Acu is already authorized to install a line from its regas terminal to the Cabiunas-Victoria pipeline.
Acu is also in the process of securing approval to build a processing unit to treat presalt gas, which could either be transported by pipeline to other regions of Brazil or absorbed by industries in the growing port complex.
Although thermoelectric plants will underpin initial demand, industrial gas demand will be key to developing offshore gas production, Firmo said.
Acu is also working to develop a nitrogen-based fertilizers industry.
"Acu has the potential to be the largest fertilizer production cluster in Brazil," Firmo said. He added that the port imported two cargoes of fertilizers earlier this year in anticipation of developing a fertilizer logistics hub.
Firmo sees the potential for iron ore processing as well. The port already exports iron ore produced by Anglo American, which is delivered to the port through a 535km (332mi) slurry pipeline.
With gas supply, Firmo sees the potential for both pellets and hot briquetted iron (HBI) production at the port.
In the future, Acu is hoping to develop green steel production, using green hydrogen. Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), a subsidiary of Australian mining company Fortescue Metals Group, recently signed a preliminary deal to develop green hydrogen at the port.
