The agreement between Mercosur and the European Union is expected to expand not only commercial opportunities between the two blocs but also the importance of sustainable practices along the logistics chains responsible for moving goods. The pact between the blocs establishes commitments related to environmental protection, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable development.
In parallel, the European Union has been increasing environmental requirements that directly affect international trade and maritime transport. These include progressive targets for reducing carbon emissions from ships, the expansion of electricity use for vessels docked in ports, the inclusion of the maritime sector in carbon pricing mechanisms, and environmental traceability requirements for certain production chains.
In this context, the sustainability agenda developed by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) gains strategic relevance by addressing environmental demands increasingly present in the European market.
For Minister Tomé Franca, the agenda has ceased to be merely an environmental agenda and has become a factor of competitiveness. "The transition to more sustainable logistics is a global movement, and Brazilian ports need to be prepared for this scenario. Investing in energy efficiency, innovation, and emission reduction strengthens our infrastructure and expands the country's capacity to meet the demands of international trade," he stated.
Energy Transition and Decarbonization
In recent years, MPor has structured a series of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and the sustainable modernization of Brazilian port infrastructure. One of these is the Sustainability Policy, established in 2025, with guidelines aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy transition, and climate resilience in the port, waterway, and airport sectors.
As part of this policy, MPor created the Sustainability Pact, an initiative that seeks to incorporate the theme into the country's transport infrastructure. Companies that adhere and prove actions aimed at sustainability, governance, and social responsibility receive official seals, in addition to incentives such as priority in project analysis, monitoring of environmental licensing processes, and institutional recognition.
The agenda also includes actions foreseen in national port planning, such as encouraging the electrification of equipment, adopting renewable energy sources, managing emissions, and incorporating ESG criteria into port projects and concessions.
These initiatives align with ongoing movements in Europe, where recent regulations establish progressive targets for reducing emissions associated with maritime transport and encourage the use of lower carbon intensity fuels.
Green Corridors
Another axis of the Brazilian agenda involves the construction of so-called 'sustainable maritime corridors', a concept that seeks to integrate infrastructure, clean energy, and technological solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport.
This topic has gained space in international discussions on sustainable logistics and has been incorporated into initiatives presented by Brazil in international forums, such as the G20, BRICS, and COP30, in favor of more sustainable logistics.
As part of this effort, Brazil, Norway, and the Netherlands have been advancing in the construction of 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 conducting feasibility studies and discussing possible routes for the initiative.
Initiatives Across the Country
In different regions of the country, Brazilian ports are already implementing initiatives aligned with this energy transition and emission reduction agenda.
In the Northeast, the Suape Industrial Port Complex (PE) will house the first 100% electric container terminal in Latin America. The undertaking, which received more than R$ 2 billion in investments, brings together electric equipment, operational automation, and integrated digital infrastructure, combining emission reduction with a 55% increase in logistics capacity.
At the Port of Santos (SP), the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system was implemented; technology that provides electricity to docked vessels directly from the onshore grid, reducing diesel consumption during port operations. Since 2024, the energy supplied by the Itatinga Hydroelectric Plant has contributed to reducing diesel consumption and emissions associated with port operations.
In Paranaguá (PR), investments in railway logistics and solar energy generation reinforce the pursuit of greater operational efficiency with less environmental impact. The Moegão project, in its final phase of implementation, will expand the port's railway handling capacity, while photovoltaic systems installed in terminals help reduce emissions.
In Ceará, the Pecém Complex is advancing in the consolidation of a green hydrogen hub and in the development of projects aimed at the production of green ammonia, seeking to position the state as one of the main poles of the new global energy economy.
At the Port of Açu (RJ), initiatives aimed at creating a green corridor for low-carbon fuels and the development of projects related to hydrogen and industrial decarbonization reinforce the role of ports in the Brazilian energy transition.
