Brazil Prepares for Greener Fuels in Cruise Industry

Brazilian authorities and suppliers are gearing up to embrace the cruise industry’s newest green technologies and sustainable fuels.

These advancements were a central topic at a recent industry event held in Brasília, the country’s capital.

Rafaela Gomes de Souza e Silva, the Ministry of Ports and Airports' general coordinator for sustainability, noted that Brazil is collaborating with international institutions to gain expertise in sustainable practices.

“We can draw from this knowledge, working with countries that have good practices to serve as benchmarks,” she said.

As alternative fuels like LNG (liquefied natural gas) emerge, Souza e Silva emphasized the government’s role in establishing regulations for their use and bunkering processes. “We have the power to encourage, and we’re talking about a sector industry that already does a lot on its own. Our role is to guide and promote,” she added.

Commander Flavio Mathuiy, of the IMO’s Sustainability Coordinating Committee in the Brazilian Navy, highlighted the challenge of predicting which green fuels will dominate the future.

“We have observed that cruise companies are investing in LNG, with an eye on bio-LNG, while others are considering methanol and even hydrogen,” he said. Mathuiy added that there is no universal solution, as companies are selecting fuels based on their strategies and operational needs.

“Not all ports will have all fuel options available,” he explained.

Hans Fuchslocha, Petrobras’ bunker manager, agreed that the future of cruise fuels would be diverse and regional.

“The solutions will be varied, and likely regional. In the short term, there are two fuels emerging as transition fuels: LNG and a blend with renewable sources, which is biodiesel,” he said.

Fuchslocha also emphasized Petrobras’ commitment to ensuring fuel supply for cruise ships, pointing to the successful results of Brazil’s last two cruise seasons.