The potential of Brazilian ports as renewable marine fuel bunkering hubs

Building on Brazil’s abundant renewable energy resources and strategic geographic location, this study assesses the country’s potential to become a global leader in supplying renewable marine fuels to the international shipping sector. We analyze the readiness of Brazilian ports to support the production, bunkering, and deployment of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, such as renewable ammonia and renewable methanol, laying the groundwork for establishing green shipping corridors. 

Key findings include: 

• Identification of six candidate ports: Three public ports (Santos, Rio Grande, and Itaqui) and three private ports (Porto do Açu, Pecém, and Navegantes) could serve as potential renewable marine fuel bunkering hubs. Public ports generally scored higher in infrastructure, strategic location, and connectivity.
• High port readiness: Santos, Latin America’s largest port, ranked high in four out of five readiness criteria, while Porto do Açu and Itaqui demonstrated strong performance across all categories except access to offshore wind energy. All six candidates received readiness scores between 3.5 and 4.4 (on a 1–5 scale).
• Feasibility of renewable fuel usage on major shipping routes: Among 10 sample trade routes connecting these ports to key domestic and international markets, five could be completed with renewable liquid hydrogen (RE-LH2) in fuel cells without refueling. All routes are feasible using renewable ammonia (RE-NH3) and renewable methanol (RE-MeOH) in internal combustion engines, eliminating the need for mid-route refueling.
• Estimated fuel and energy demand: To support zero-emission shipping on these routes, between 1,785 and 1,911 tonnes of renewable hydrogen are required—equivalent to a renewable electricity demand of 82 to 92 GWh. For context, this represents just 0.1% of the annual output of Itaipu, Brazil’s largest hydroelectric power plant, and approximately 0.2% of Brazil’s planned renewable hydrogen production.
• Current ship traffic emissions: In 2023 alone, vessels operating on these sample routes are estimated to have consumed over 4,449 tonnes of fuel and emitted approximately 13,862 tonnes of CO₂ per trip. Operational efficiency varied by route, indicating opportunities to prioritize the most efficient routes for early deployment of zero-emission vessels.   

This pre-feasibility assessment demonstrates the significant potential of Brazilian ports to serve as renewable marine fuel hubs, offering both economic and environmental benefits. By quantifying the potential bunkering demand and analyzing port readiness, this study provides a guideline for future investments and policy initiatives aimed at accelerating the decarbonization of maritime shipping. 

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