Port of Açu and Van Oord announce first dredging operation using biofuel

The Port of Açu, located in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro state, and Van Oord, a Dutch company specializing in maritime engineering and responsible for the maintenance dredging of the port complex, announced on Monday a partnership to collaborate on several sustainable initiatives, including the use of biofuel in the dredging of access channels.

The expectation is that, starting in 2026, operations will already be supplied with HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), known as green diesel — a renewable fuel — in a pioneering initiative in the country.

“This partnership reinforces our commitment to leading the energy transition in the Brazilian port sector by adopting solutions that prepare the country for new environmental standards. We are contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy,” said Vinicius Patel, Director of Port Administration and Services at the Port of Açu.

Van Oord’s dredgers are already maintaining the channels at the Port, and the new phase foresees the engines beginning to operate on biofuel. The measure will reduce carbon emissions and support the decarbonization goals of both parties.

“This initiative strengthens Van Oord’s operations in Brazil and demonstrates the potential of renewable fuels to reduce emissions in maritime activities, contributing to the advancement of decarbonization in the port sector,” said Tim Helbo, Van Oord’s Director for the Americas.

The Port of Açu is the largest private industrial port complex in Latin America, bringing together maritime and port operators and service providers, and positioning itself as a hub for the development of low-carbon solutions.

Source: Port of Açu

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