Prumo and Fuella AS Secure Initial Area Reservation Contract for Hydrogen Hub at Porto do Açu

Prumo, the economic group driving the strategic development of Porto do Açu, along with its subsidiary Porto do Açu and the Norwegian company Fuella AS—a developer and operator of green hydrogen and ammonia plants—have signed the first area reservation contract for the newly licensed low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives hub at the port complex in northern Rio de Janeiro. The announcement was made on Monday, August 12th, by Prumo Group CEO Rogério Zampronha during Prumo Day in São Paulo.

The hub spans a total of one million square meters, and through this agreement, Fuella has secured a substantial area within it. This marks Fuella’s first agreement in Brazil. Fuella AS is supported by Allianz Capital Partners, representing Allianz insurance companies, one of the world’s leading insurers, asset managers, and investors, headquartered in Germany, as the primary investor.

The companies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining their collaboration on the project's development, including its phases and timelines, with the aim of establishing a green ammonia plant with a capacity of up to 520 MW, based on water electrolysis. This facility will have the potential to produce 400,000 tons of green ammonia annually, which can be exported or used domestically via the port’s liquids terminal.

The contract and MoU were signed with the backing of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, a subsidiary of Europe’s second-largest port, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, which serves as a strategic partner to Port of Açu. The goal is for Açu to emerge as a new export corridor for green ammonia from Brazil to Europe.

“The development of this plant will play a key role in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and advance sustainable energy. We have a well-prepared ecosystem and competitive advantages for producing green hydrogen and ammonia, both for export and to meet the needs of the Brazilian domestic market,” highlights Mauro Andrade, Executive Director of Business Development at Prumo.

The timeline for Fuella’s green ammonia plant project anticipates reaching a final investment decision within the next four years, with the first molecules expected to be delivered by 2030.

“This agreement represents a major milestone as we broaden our international project portfolio into highly competitive and appealing regions. We believe that Porto do Açu is an excellent location and partner for us. What stood out were not only the site and existing infrastructure but also the commitment, expertise, and support of the team,” remarks Dr. Thorsten Helms, Managing Director of Business & Corporate Development at Fuella.

Açu is the largest private port-industrial complex in Latin America, boasting access to multiple water sources—a crucial element for hydrogen projects—and robust export infrastructure. The complex is also connected to the National Interconnected System (SIN), enabling the development of 100% renewable on-grid and off-grid projects, providing certified energy that meets European Union standards.

In January of this year, the low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives hub at Porto do Açu received an unprecedented Preliminary License from the Rio de Janeiro Government. The aim is to create an integrated platform for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, linked to ammonia and methanol production facilities. The hydrogen produced at the hub can be exported or used as feedstock for future low-carbon industrial clusters to be developed at Açu.