Ceará Export Processing Zone completes customs clearance for future Green Hydrogen Hub

Continuing its preparations for its upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub, the Ceará State Export Processing Zone (ZPE) has completed the customs clearance of its Sector 2 industrial gate with the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (RFB). This milestone, announced in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) on Tuesday (21), is crucial for attracting upcoming investments to the state.

Sector 2 of ZPE Ceará spans over 1,900 hectares and will house manufacturing units for green hydrogen production and distribution within the Pecém Complex. The customs clearance allows the Federal Revenue Service to authorize activities related to customs procedures, including cargo transportation, storage, and other processes for both imported and exported goods.

“Customs clearance is another step in ZPE Ceará’s efforts to provide a modern and efficient structure for companies in Sector 2. Our goal is to meet the needs of Green Hydrogen projects by offering speed, security, and comprehensive information to our customers and public bodies, as well as the Federal Revenue Service,” said Hélio Leitão, president of ZPE Ceará.

Sector 2 features a bonded industrial gate with four scales capable of weighing up to 120 tons, along with video surveillance cameras and OCR systems for vehicle registrations. This infrastructure is integrated with the Integrated Customs Control System (SICA), facilitating smooth cargo flow between Sector 1 and the Port of Pecém.

The Green Hydrogen Hub, launched by the Government of Ceará in collaboration with Complexo do Pecém, the Federation of State Industries (Fiec), and the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), aims to position Pecém as a leading global supplier of green hydrogen. This initiative is expected to generate jobs, boost income, and support global decarbonization through the energy transition.

The Hub has already secured six pre-contracts with companies including AES Brasil, Casa dos Ventos, Cactus Energia, Fortescue, and Voltalia, with one company choosing to remain undisclosed. Additional agreements are under negotiation, adding to more than 35 Memorandums of Understanding signed. These pre-contracts alone represent over US$8 billion in investments through 2030, with more than 500 hectares already reserved in Sector 2 of ZPE Ceará. This development is projected to double the region’s current employment figure of 80,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Sharing is caring!