The BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank) announced on Tuesday (28) the approval of R$345 million in financing for Hermasa, a logistics company, to build 60 barges and two river pushers, with a focus on decarbonization.
According to the bank, the vessels could reduce annual CO₂ emissions by up to 88.4% due to fewer annual trips and the potential to replace diesel with biodiesel in the pushers.
Shipyards in northern Brazil will build 46 grain barges of the Box type, with a capacity of up to 2,390 tonnes, and 14 Raked-type barges, with a capacity of 2,200 tonnes. The BNDES estimates that the creation of 355 jobs will occur along the logistics corridor formed by the Madeira and Amazon rivers, an area in which Hermasa, controlled by agribusiness giant Amaggi, operates.
“The acquisition of new vessels meets the expected growth in grain exports through logistical corridors and ports in the northern region of the country over the next ten years, reflecting the importance President Lula’s government places on agribusiness and regional development,” said BNDES president Aloizio Mercadante in a statement.
The decrease in the number of annual trips will result from a potential increase of around 35% in cargo capacity.
The total investment, funded through the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM), could reach R$384 million. The FMM was established in 1958 as a tool to promote the shipbuilding industry, with funding derived from a tax on freight, primarily on imports.
A new opportunity for Brazil’s shipbuilding industry
According to the bank, while the barges will have greater capacity, the pushers will feature shallow draft, allowing them to operate year-round, including during the dry season. BNDES also emphasized that the credit line prioritizes strengthening the national merchant fleet—one of President Lula’s campaign promises.
“Since 2023, under the current government, nearly R$70 billion in FMM funding has already been prioritized for projects—three times more than the R$22.7 billion approved during the four years of the previous administration,” said Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho in a statement.
The financing is also part of the BNDES Azul initiative, which aims to decarbonize the naval fleet and port infrastructure.
Source: Folha de S. Paulo
