Port of Açu’s water stewardship strategy is anchored in its 2050 Ambition, the port’s long-term sustainability framework committed to building a nature- and people-positive future. Building on a long-standing approach to water security embedded in the port’s development strategy since the beginning of operations, Port of Açu continues to evolve its planning to address future demand scenarios, including water-intensive low-carbon industries such as green hydrogen, e-fuels and green steel.
To support resilient growth, Port of Açu has continuously developed and updated a dedicated Water Supply Master Plan, projecting industrial and port water demand through 2050 while evaluating diversified supply alternatives, including groundwater withdrawal, seawater intake, surface water, rainwater harvesting and industrial reuse. This planning supports adaptive infrastructure development, reduces pressure on shared freshwater systems and strengthens preparedness for industrial expansion.
Water circularity is embedded across the port-industrial ecosystem through synergies among co-located tenants. At the iron ore terminal, ore transported via the world’s longest slurry pipeline (529 km) is filtered before export, generating treated industrial effluent reused across operations. At the same time, the port hosts Latin America’s largest gas-fired power complex, where seawater is used for cooling and industrial processes, reducing pressure on freshwater resources. Today, approximately 90% of the industrial cluster’s water demand is met through alternative sources, supported by an integrated monitoring system from source to end user.
Fostering it´s water stewardship, Port of Açu conducted a comprehensive water risk and balance assessment. In 2024, the port achieved Water Positive status, with 1.75 million m³/year of freshwater withdrawals offset by 2.73 million m³/year of replenishment benefits (155% replenishment ratio). Through ecosystem conservation, infrastructure solutions and collaborative governance, Port of Açu demonstrates how resilient port-industrial clusters can reduce water-related risks and enable sustainable industrial growth.