Prumo, the economic group leading the strategic development of Porto do Açu, alongside its subsidiary Porto do Açu, has entered into a landmark agreement with the Norwegian company Fuella AS, a prominent developer and operator of green hydrogen and ammonia plants. This partnership marks the first area reservation contract for the newly licensed low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives hub at Porto do Açu, located in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro state. The announcement was made by Prumo Group CEO, Rogério Zampronha, during the Prumo Day event in São Paulo on August 12th.
The new hub spans a vast area of one million square meters, with Fuella securing a significant portion through this agreement—marking their first major foothold in Brazil. Fuella AS is supported by Allianz Capital Partners, the investment arm of Allianz insurance companies, which stands as one of the world’s leading insurers, asset managers, and investors, headquartered in Germany.
In addition to the area reservation contract, the two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development of a green ammonia plant at the hub. The plant is planned to have a capacity of up to 520 MW, powered by water electrolysis, with the potential to produce 400,000 tons of green ammonia annually. This ammonia can be shipped via the port’s liquids terminal, either for export or for use within Brazil’s domestic market.
The contract and MoU were executed with the backing of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, a subsidiary of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second-largest port, which serves as a strategic partner of Porto do Açu. This collaboration is expected to position Açu as a key export corridor for green ammonia from Brazil to Europe, solidifying its role in the global green energy supply chain.
“The development of this plant will contribute to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy. We have a well-prepared ecosystem and competitive advantages for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, both for export and to meet the needs of the Brazilian market,” said Mauro Andrade, Executive Director of Business Development at Prumo.
The project timeline anticipates a final investment decision within the next four years, with the goal of delivering the first molecules of green ammonia by 2030.
“This agreement is a significant milestone for us as we expand our portfolio of international projects into highly competitive and attractive regions. We see Porto do Açu as an outstanding location and partner. The key factors for us were not only the site and infrastructure but also the dedication, competence, and support of the team,” commented Dr. Thorsten Helms, Managing Director of Business & Corporate Development at Fuella.
Porto do Açu, the largest private port-industrial complex in Latin America, offers several strategic advantages for hydrogen projects, including access to abundant water resources and robust export infrastructure. The site is connected to the National Interconnected System (SIN) and is capable of developing 100% renewable on-grid and off-grid projects, providing certified energy to meet European Union requirements.
Earlier this year, Porto do Açu’s low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives hub received a groundbreaking Preliminary License from the Rio de Janeiro Government. The hub aims to develop an integrated platform for producing renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, linked to ammonia and methanol production units. The hydrogen produced at the hub will be available for export or for use as feedstock in future low-carbon industrial clusters at Açu, further advancing Brazil’s role in the global green energy transition.
