Port of Açu and Yamna earmark land for 1 mtpa green ammonia plant

London-based green hydrogen and derivatives project development and investment platform Yamna has signed a land reservation agreement with the Brazilian Port of Açu to develop a green ammonia plant.

As disclosed, Yamna plans to establish a new ammonia plant with a production capacity of up to one million tons per year (mtpa) in the port industrial complex of Port of Açu in the northeast of Rio de Janeiro State.

The final investment decision for the project is anticipated by 2027 with the first green molecules to be produced in 2030.

The proposed plant will be Yamna’s first project in Brazil, aligning with the company’s strategy of developing large-scale export green ammonia projects in “the world’s most attractive locations”.

Abdelaziz Yatribi, Yamna’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to launch our first development in Brazil with this large-scale project at Port of Açu. The process leading to the signature of the land reservation agreement has been highly collaborative and efficient, and we are confident that this strong cooperation will continue throughout the next phases of the project, paving the way toward a successful Final Investment Decision (FID).

“We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International for its invaluable contribution in achieving this important milestone. At Yamna, we look forward to playing a key role in the success of this project, leveraging our expertise in green hydrogen and ammonia.”

Privately owned by Prumo Logística and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, Port of Açu is one of Brazil’s major oil and gas export facilities handling 40% of the country’s oil exports. The port is also active in the mining and port logistics sector.

Currently, the port is advancing its energy transition by developing an integrated platform for the low-carbon economy and is reserving two million square meters for green hydrogen projects.

The latest deal with Yamna adds to the one million square meters already licensed at the port.

Eugenio Figueiredo, CEO of Port of Açu, added: “Porto do Açu offers one of the best infrastructures in the country to sustainably support the decarbonization of the industry, with deep draft, available land with direct access to the quay, and a service cluster bringing together multiple suppliers for port and maritime support. This partnership highlights Açu’s strategic role as a hub for sustainable energy solutions and reflects our commitment to fostering innovative projects that contribute to the global energy transition.”