Oil throughput at Açu rises 25% amid geopolitical tensions

The military escalation between Iran and the United States is reshaping the global energy market and expanding the strategic role of the Port of Açu, in Rio de Janeiro state, as an oil export platform. According to Prumo Logística, the company that operates the terminal, oil-related operations are growing by about 25% amid a reorganization of global energy chains that reinforces Brazil’s role as a strategic supplier.

For Prumo Logística CEO Rogério Zampronha, the impacts of the current crisis can already be compared with the oil shocks of the 1970s and have the potential to trigger permanent changes in global supply chains.

In this context, the Port of Açu is taking on a strategic position in global oil trade. The terminal is controlled by Prumo Logística, whose shareholders include the EIG and Mubadala funds, as well as Port of Antwerp-Bruges International. Nearly 40% of all crude oil exported by Brazil currently leaves through the Rio de Janeiro terminal.

Zampronha noted that production in the Campos Basin has been growing and driving throughput at Prumo’s logistics operation in the port complex. “Every month we are setting a record at our oil terminal, Vast, with 1 million barrels per day,” he said.

“The Port of Açu stands as Brazil’s main logistics lever for oil exploration and exports and is gaining global strategic relevance, as exports go to Asia, the United States and Europe,” he added.

The terminal, originally licensed to handle up to 1.2 million barrels per day, had its license expanded to 1.8 million barrels per day. That means that, even after all the growth already recorded, the port can increase throughput by another 800,000 barrels per day if needed.

In addition, logistics activity linked to exploration is expanding by nearly 10%, accompanied by new investments across the supply chain tied to the energy sector.

The following chart tracks monthly crude oil export volumes handled at the Port of Açu, according to the latest intelligence from Datamar:

Crude Oil Exports | Jan 2023 – Mar 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Structural security premium

Instability in the Middle East has affected global energy security, as around 20% of the oil consumed worldwide passes through the Strait of Hormuz, while also disrupting other strategic supply chains.

In Zampronha’s view, the world has entered a new phase marked by what he calls a “structural security premium,” in which countries and large corporations are willing to accept higher costs to secure alternative suppliers and avoid a complete disruption of global supply chains.

According to Zampronha, the cheap energy that moves through the Hormuz region is no longer available at all times, accelerating the search for new hydrocarbon suppliers and strengthening Brazil’s role in the international market.

For Prumo’s CEO, the current crisis could surpass even the combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“We saw this happen in the past with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We also saw it during Covid-19. This is now worse than both events combined because of the scale of the global impacts it is bringing,” he said.

The executive also recalled the oil shocks of the 1970s, which led Brazil to develop Proálcool and become a global benchmark in biofuels. According to him, the same movement is beginning to take place now, with the acceleration of projects linked to the production of new fuels and alternative energy sources.

In Prumo’s assessment, the international scenario places Brazil in a privileged position to consolidate itself as a new global frontier for energy security, both in the hydrocarbons market and in renewable energy.

Source: CNN Brasil

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