Environmental Management
Management system focused on good practices
Our environmental management activities are based on mapping environmental aspects and risks through assessments and technical studies and follows the guidelines of our Sustainability Policy’s standards and procedures.
In 2019 we joined the Ecoports Network, and in 2021 we earned the Ecoports Certification, the only environmental management certification dedicated to the port industry, which connects us with a global network focused on good environmental practices.
Our management is led by the teams of Port development and ESG and Port control areas.
Environmental Permitting
Our operations obtained permits from the State Environmental Institute (INEA), which oversees compliance with permit requirements through regular inspections and analysis of monitoring reports.
T-MULT operations are authorized through the LO IN034002 operating permit and its respective annotation documents, AVB003515 and AVB0004438.
Management of Legal Requirements
We seek effective risk control and mitigation measures, monitored through routine inspections and annual internal and external audit cycles based on a robust process involving Management of Legal Requirements and Environmental Audits.
To this end, we map legislation and the level of compliance with regulatory requirements using the CAL4.0 System developed by IUS Natura.
Environmental Controls
The environmental aspects that we manage include water and energy consumption, solid waste and effluent generation, and air emissions. In its port administration activities, the company is responsible for managing dredging operations at Terminal 2 and, therefore, for ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements, permits, and best environmental practices.
- Solid Waste and Liquid Effluent Management Program
- Control of Air Emissions
- Environmental Inspection Plan
- Synanthropic Wildlife Control Plan
- Monitoring of Water for Human Consumption
- Monitoring of Raw and Treated Effluents from the Drainage System
- Transportation, Storage, and Handling of Hazardous Chemicals
• Solid Waste and Liquid Effluent Management Program
• Control of Air Emissions
• Environmental Inspection Plan
• Synanthropic Wildlife Control Plan
• Monitoring of Water for Human Consumption
• Monitoring of Raw and Treated Effluents from the Drainage System
• Transportation, Storage, and Handling of Hazardous Chemicals
Environmental Management of Dredging Activities
Dredging¹ is essential for maintaining and ensuring navigability of port channels and safe terminal operations. Given their complexity, these activities require robust management and operation processes to ensure that impacts and risks are properly controlled.
At Açu, dredging is done in compliance with our environmental permits and applicable environmental standards, as well as guidelines provided by the permitting environmental agency, advisory and intervening agencies, and specialized environmental consulting firms.
Our geographic location is within the reproduction area for the loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta species). Therefore, dredging involves unique challenges and measures to protect these animals.
We have defined a Standard Protocol for Maintenance Dredging that outlines these measures.
- Protection of sea turtles
- Control of light pollution
- Marine monitoring and marine discharge area
- Management of solid waste and liquid effluents
- Emergency management
- Control of air emissions and noise
- Social communication
- Environmental education
• Protection of sea turtles
• Control of light pollution
• Marine monitoring and marine discharge area
• Management of solid waste and liquid effluents
• Emergency management
• Control of air emissions and noise
• Social communication
• Environmental education
¹Excavation activities and soil removal at any depth performed by different types of equipment.
Monitoring and Indicators of Environmental Quality
We carry out environmental monitoring in compliance with environmental permitting processes and the applicable legislation, in line with good practices in the port industry, and we are continuously improving this process.
Using a robust network for monitoring continental and marine water resources, air quality, noise emissions, and fauna, we monitor the environmental quality of the port and its surroundings, creating a database beginning in the pre-implementation period of the project.
- Marine water quality, sediments, biota, and bioindicators
- Groundwater quality
- Quality of continental water resources: Iquipari, Veiga and Salgada lagoons, and the Quintingute Channel
- Exotic species
- Coastal morphodynamics
- Air quality
- Noise emissions
- Management of liquid effluents
• Marine water quality, sediments, biota, and bioindicators
• Groundwater quality
• Quality of continental water resources: Iquipari, Veiga and Salgada lagoons, and the Quintingute Channel
• Exotic species
• Coastal morphodynamics
• Air quality
• Noise emissions
• Management of liquid effluents
Historical data generated by monitoring activities allowed us to develop environmental quality indicators for Port of Açu’s surroundings. These indicators enable integrated data analysis and facilitate reporting, management, and decision-making to maintain environmental quality.
Environmental Ship Index - ESI
In January 2021, we implemented the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), a project led by the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) and linked to the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). The ESI identifies those vessels that perform better than the emission standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Ships that perform better than the environmental standards, including GHG emission levels, now have access to differentiated port tariffs. With this initiative, we now integrate a list of ports around the world that have adopted this incentive mechanism.
Monitoring of weather and ocean conditions
Port of Açu relies on a state-of-the art weather and ocean data monitoring system, one of the most comprehensive and modern among Brazilian ports.
The system is formed by nine stations that measure wave height and period, direction and speed of ocean currents, direction and speed of the wind, and visibility and tidal range, as well as precipation.
These data are provided online to Port of Açu’s Vessel Traffic Service Center (VTS)—responsible for managing maritime traffic for maneuvering vessles—and to the maritime authority. The data can be integrated with monitoring and management systems.
Historical data are also available for studies on the sizing of maritime traffic and sedimentation, as well as port development projects.
Açu also has one of the most modern meteo-oceanographic forecasting systems in the port industry, focused on maritime and port operations.
With local and hyperlocal forecasts, enabling the analysis of operational conditions and risks for each terminal and specific type of maneuver, the system can issue 8-day forecasts.
This information is available via individual login at Sigma and i4.
Environmental education
In line with Açu’s permitting processes, environmental education activities have been carried out since 2012 and play an important role in the local community by developing actions related to the region’s social and environmental agenda.
We engage with local players and participate in institutional partnerships with Municipal Boards of Education and Environmental Departments, universities, scout groups, and NGOs.
Learn about other topics related to the Environment and Climate
Biodiversity
We recognize the importance of preserving biodiversity in line with the sustainable development of our activities and support preservation via the Caruara Private Natural Heritage Reserve.
Climate Change
In developing our business, we seek to fully incorporate risks and opportunities related to climate change. Our work is based on three pillars: mitigation, adaptation, and opportunities, focusing on energy transition and low-carbon businesses.
