Agreement includes supplying marine fuel blends and studying new export, import, and cabotage routes
03/28/2025
Vast Infraestrutura, the liquid bulk logistics subsidiary of Prumo Logística, and biodiesel producer Be8 have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of the marine biofuel market at the Port of Açu, located in São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro state. The agreement, which will remain in effect for up to two years, involves the use of infrastructure provided by Vast to connect Be8 and fuel distributors with clients operating at the port.
The companies aim to supply vessels docking at Açu with marine fuel (bunker) blended with biodiesel—or even pure biodiesel (B100). Currently, Brazil’s National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) allows up to 24% biodiesel (B24) to be blended into marine fuels such as marine gas oil (MGO) or heavier intermediate fuel oil (IFO), without requiring engine modifications.
The partnership will assess the potential use of the Açu Liquid Bulk Terminal, a facility whose construction is set to begin in April and which has been designed to be flexible and scalable in line with market demand.
According to Vast’s commercial director Eduardo Goulart, roughly 7,000 vessels currently operate through the Port of Açu each month—primarily for oil transshipment—and most of them do not use biofuels. “Açu is naturally a hub for marine fuel, and our clients are already seeking low-emission alternatives,” Mr. Goulart said.
Those 7,000 vessels represent a potential demand of about 30,000 tonnes of biodiesel per month, assuming a 24% blend ratio with the average 120,000 tonnes of monthly marine fuel distributed at the port.
“That matches the output of our Be8 plant in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. It’s a significant volume,” added Leandro Zat, Be8’s vice president of operations. The plant produces about 39 million liters of biodiesel per month—approximately 30,000 tonnes. Each tonne of biodiesel is estimated to reduce 2.86 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
If the studies confirm technical and market feasibility, supply would likely begin with B24 blends and gradually increase to B100 over time, according to Mr. Zat. “There’s growing demand for maritime decarbonization, and I’m sure Vast, Be8, and other companies aligned with this purpose are ready to meet it. These are companies walking the talk,” he said.
The companies will also evaluate whether the Port of Açu could become a hub for importing raw materials used in biodiesel production or a new base for biodiesel exports and coastal shipping, which would improve logistical efficiency.
In addition to Vast Infraestrutura, Prumo Logística also has a joint venture with British oil major BP called Efen, focused on producing renewable fuels—particularly hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as green diesel.
The MoU comes just months after the enactment of Brazil’s “Fuel of the Future” law, which mandates minimum blending percentages for biofuels in fossil fuels.
*By Fábio Couto — Rio de Janeiro
Source: Valor International