Mercosur-EU deal puts sustainability agenda at Brazilian ports in focus

The Mercosur-European Union agreement is expected to expand trade opportunities between the two blocs while also raising the importance of sustainable practices across the logistics chains that move those goods. The pact includes commitments on environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development.

At the same time, the European Union has been tightening environmental requirements that directly affect international trade and maritime transport. These include phased targets to cut carbon emissions from ships, wider use of shore power for vessels at berth, the inclusion of shipping in carbon-pricing mechanisms and environmental traceability requirements for selected supply chains.

Against that backdrop, the sustainability agenda led by Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports is gaining strategic weight as European environmental standards become increasingly relevant to trade.

For Ports and Airports Minister Tomé Franca, sustainability is no longer only an environmental issue, but also a factor in competitiveness.

“The transition to more sustainable logistics is a global movement, and Brazilian ports need to be ready for this scenario. Investing in energy efficiency, innovation and emissions reduction strengthens our infrastructure and expands the country’s ability to meet the demands of international trade,” he said.

Energy transition and decarbonization

In recent years, the ministry has developed a series of initiatives aimed at cutting emissions and modernizing Brazil’s port infrastructure on a more sustainable basis. One of them is the Sustainability Policy, introduced in 2025, which sets guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote the energy transition and strengthen climate resilience in the port, waterway and airport sectors.

As part of that policy, the ministry created the Sustainability Pact, an initiative designed to embed sustainability in Brazil’s transport infrastructure. Companies that join the program and prove they are taking action on sustainability, governance and social responsibility receive official seals, as well as incentives such as priority in project reviews, support in environmental licensing processes and institutional recognition.

The agenda also includes measures in national port planning, such as incentives for the electrification of equipment, the use of renewable energy, emissions management and the inclusion of ESG criteria in port projects and concessions.

Those initiatives are aligned with developments in Europe, where recent regulations set phased targets to reduce emissions from maritime transport and encourage the use of lower-carbon fuels.

Green corridors

Another pillar of Brazil’s agenda is the development of so-called sustainable maritime corridors, which seek to combine infrastructure, clean energy and technology to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping.

The issue has gained ground in international discussions on sustainable logistics and has been included in initiatives presented by Brazil in forums such as the G20, BRICS and COP30.

As part of that effort, Brazil, Norway and the Netherlands have been working on a decarbonized maritime corridor between South America and Europe. Since the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2025, technical teams from the participating countries have been carrying out feasibility studies and discussing potential routes.

Projects across Brazil

Brazilian ports in different regions are already implementing projects tied to the energy transition and emissions reduction.

In the Northeast, the Suape Industrial Port Complex in Pernambuco is set to host Latin America’s first fully electric container terminal. The project, which received more than R$2 billion in investment, combines electric equipment, operational automation and integrated digital infrastructure, reducing emissions while increasing logistics capacity by 55%.

At the Port of Santos, in São Paulo, an onshore power supply system has been installed. The technology allows vessels at berth to draw electricity from the shore grid, reducing diesel use during port operations. Since 2024, power supplied by the Itatinga Hydropower Plant has helped cut diesel consumption and related emissions in port operations.

In Paranaguá, Paraná, investments in rail logistics and solar power generation are supporting more efficient operations with a lower environmental impact. The Moegão rail project, now in the final stage of implementation, will expand the port’s rail-handling capacity, while photovoltaic systems installed at terminals are helping reduce emissions.

In Ceará, the Pecém Complex is moving ahead with plans to consolidate a green hydrogen hub and develop projects for green ammonia production, as the state seeks to position itself as one of the main centers of the new global energy economy.

At the Port of Açu, in Rio de Janeiro, initiatives focused on creating a green corridor for low-carbon fuels and developing hydrogen and industrial decarbonization projects underscore the role of ports in Brazil’s energy transition.

Fonte: Ministry of Ports and Airports

Sharing is caring!