Vast Infraestrutura, OceanPact begin biofuels trial at Brazil’s Porto do Açu

Vast Infraestrutura and OceanPact started trials in September with HVO – Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil – on vessels operating at Porto do Açu, in northern Rio de Janeiro state. The two companies signed an agreement to promote the use of biofuels within the port complex.

The initiative aims to test the feasibility of using biofuels to supply OceanPact vessels that operate at Vast’s oil transshipment terminal (T-Oil), contributing to the decarbonization of operations. The bunkering was carried out at Vast’s Liquid Bulk Terminal (TLA).

“The TLA will provide the necessary infrastructure to scale up the use of biofuels, in addition to serving as a hub to store and handle a diversified range of liquids. This agreement strengthens our strategic role in Brazil’s logistics chain and highlights our contribution to decarbonizing the maritime sector,” said Adriano Lima, Vast Infraestrutura’s Sustainability Director.

The companies have already partnered on the implementation of an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system for these vessels, now in operation at T-Oil. The OPS reduces engine run time while docked, thereby cutting emissions.

“Reducing carbon emissions in our operations marks a concrete step toward the energy transition in the maritime sector. We are excited about the potential of this initiative,” said Fernando Borensztein, OceanPact’s Director of Sustainability and New Business.

The agreement provides for strategic, technical, environmental, and operational studies to assess the impact of partially or fully replacing fossil fuels with biofuels, as well as to measure the emissions avoided through the use of OPS.

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