Responsible for moving the majority of global trade (and over 95% of Brazilian foreign trade), maritime transport also faces the challenge of reducing its environmental impact, since it accounts for approximately 3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions related to energy. Should the current scenario persist, it is estimated that by 2030, the sector's emissions will reach between 90% to 130% of 2008 levels.
In Brazilian ports, this scenario is aggravated by the combination of ship fleet emissions, the intense flow of trucks and trains in the port vicinity, and terrestrial infrastructure limitations. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Ports and Airports and sector institutions have been expanding initiatives aimed at energy transition, logistical efficiency, and the adoption of clean technologies. "Our commitment is to the democratic construction of public policies that encourage society to adopt sustainable practices that are on the agenda of debates about the future of Brazil and our planet," explains the ministry's minister, Tomé Franca.
Among the measures adopted in port complexes are equipment electrification, the supply of shore-based electrical power to berthed vessels (systems known as Onshore Power Supply or OPS), emissions monitoring, as well as investments in low-carbon fuels and green hydrogen.
The Ministry of Ports and Airports, in turn, focused on the development and encouragement of the implementation of the Sustainability Policy for the transport mode. Launched in 2025, the Policy mobilizes the country's port, airport, and inland waterway sectors to operate within sustainability criteria, which involve environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The initiative establishes parameters for public and private management and seeks to integrate efficiency, transparency, and socio-environmental responsibility in Brazil's logistics infrastructure.
"More than points of passage and commerce, ports are strategic structures to enable new energy solutions, support the decarbonization of shipping, and prepare the country for the transformations underway in the international scenario. At the National Ports Secretariat, we have sought to advance in this direction with planning, technical foundation, and institutional coordination," stated the National Secretary of Ports at the Ministry of Ports and Airports, Alex Ávila.
The decarbonization of the sector is also aligned with the climate targets assumed by Brazil and international commitments to reduce climate change, such as the Paris Agreement and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Examples across the country
Santos Port (SP) has implemented the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system for electrical supply to berthed tugboats. Thus, since 2024 clean energy generated by the Itatinga hydroelectric plant in Bertioga has reduced diesel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
In Paranaguá (PR), investments in railway logistics and solar energy generation reinforce operational efficiency and sustainability. The Moegão project, which is already in its final phase, will expand railway handling capacity, while photovoltaic systems installed in terminals have contributed to emissions reduction since 2023.
Suape Port (PE) will be the first 100% electrified container terminal in Latin America, with equipment powered by electrical energy, operational automation, and integrated digital infrastructure. The expectation is that the structure will begin operations by year's end.
In Ceará, the Pecém Complex is advancing in establishing a green hydrogen hub, supported by the region's strong renewable energy generation. The complex also develops projects aimed at green ammonia production and expansion of port infrastructure to serve the new energy chain from 2030 onwards.
Açu Port, in Rio de Janeiro, is betting on the creation of a green corridor for supplying low-carbon fuels and the development of projects linked to hydrogen and decarbonization of the steel industry also from 2030 onwards.
Sustainable agenda
The Ministry of Ports and Airports has strengthened the port sector's sustainability agenda through public policies, strategic planning, and coordination with port authorities, regulatory agencies, and private initiative. The ministry's work seeks to encourage the adoption of clean technologies, expand logistical efficiency, and consolidate Brazilian ports as a reference in competitiveness and energy transition.
Among the ministry's initiatives is the Shipping Navigation Environmental Performance Index (IDA-Navegação), a tool developed in partnership with Infra S.A. to measure the environmental performance of vessels. The index brings together 39 indicators distributed across four dimensions: physicochemical, biological-ecological, sociocultural, and economic-operational. IDA-Navegação also contributes to increasing transparency, encouraging best practices, and driving the modernization of the national fleet.
The Ministry of Ports and Airports also coordinates the Port Decarbonization Program (PND-Portos), a strategic instrument for the progressive reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increased energy efficiency, and modernization of Brazilian logistics infrastructure.
```htmlMinister Tomé Franca highlighted the importance of these instruments in reducing the environmental impact of transport modes. "The PND-Ports and PND-Navegação are instruments that will guide the energy transition of the port and waterway sectors, aligning Brazil with global best practices. We are creating incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, modernize the fleet with sustainable fuels and make our ports more efficient," he said.
In partnership with the private sector, the ministry consolidated the Pact for Sustainability, an initiative bringing together companies committed to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. In November of last year, during the United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém (PA), 36 companies were recognized with excellence seals for actions aimed at sustainability and innovation in the transport sector.
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