Ferroport cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 94%, reduces operational water use by 20.7%

Ferroport, operator of the iron ore terminal at the Port of Açu in São João da Barra, in northern Rio de Janeiro state, released its 2025 Sustainability Report on May 21, highlighting advances in environmental performance, social development, governance and operational efficiency. On the operational front, the company, whose terminal ranks as Brazil’s fourth-largest in the sector, shipped 24.4 million tonnes of iron ore last year and made progress in yard automation and asset management.

Among the environmental highlights, the company achieved a 94% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions — Scopes 1, covering the company’s own operations, and 2, covering indirect emissions — with full neutralization of Scope 2 emissions compared with the 2021 baseline year. The result was supported by the use of 100% renewable electricity from wind power, along with significant progress in the execution of its Decarbonization Plan.

Another notable environmental result was the reduction in dependence on groundwater, from 47.73 megaliters in 2022 to 37.85 megaliters in 2025, a 20.7% decrease in water consumption. The reduction helps preserve the local aquifer and strengthens water security in the surrounding area.

“At Ferroport, we invest in environmental management and operational efficiency projects, as well as in the social development of communities in the region. In doing so, we help preserve natural resources and promote positive local impacts. In our day-to-day operations, we incorporate ESG practices aligned with the expectations of society and Brazil’s port sector,” said Edenilson Sanches, Ferroport’s sustainability manager.

R$10 million for social initiatives

On the social front, Ferroport reported R$10 million in investments through incentive laws in social initiatives, including education and sports. The company also provided 9,200 hours of training, supporting the qualification and development of local labor, and increased the share of women in leadership positions to 25%.

Ferroport, which generates about 600 direct and indirect jobs in São João da Barra and the surrounding region, also stood out in organizational climate, with 93% participation in the Great Place to Work survey and a Trust Index of 92. As a result, the company ranked 13th in the 2025 state ranking of the best companies to work for.

The company also said employee participation in health and quality-of-life programs reached 75.5%. Ferroport also developed its safety culture plan, reinforcing its commitment to an increasingly safe work environment.

Ferroport’s Integrated Management System consolidated itself as a continuous improvement initiative, with certification under ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards. In 2025, the focus was on maintaining and improving the system through audits, assessment of more than 3,900 legal requirements and process reviews, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency and legal security. Team engagement through initiatives such as SGI Day, internal campaigns and supplier workshops strengthened environmental, health and safety management, preparing the company for recertification in 2026 and advancing its sustainability agenda.

In governance, the company launched its new Code of Conduct and maintained ISO 37001 certification for its anti-bribery management system, reinforcing its culture of integrity and the robustness of its controls.

Among the new features, the report deepens transparency around the company’s activities by presenting its Value Creation Model and Value Chain, detailing how its operations translate into positive impact. The edition also incorporates the TNFD approach, short for Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, strengthening the management of nature-related risks and opportunities.

“The results reinforce the integration between strategy, operations and sustainability, consolidating Ferroport as a safe, efficient operation committed to generating long-term value,” Sanches added.

Read Ferroport’s full 2025 Sustainability Report: link

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