This week the Ports of Paraná, in Brazil, and the Port of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, signed a partnership to establish the development of renewable energy in the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina. The target is to exchange knowledge to make Paraná's ports more sustainable, reducing the use of carbon and investing in new energy systems, such as green hydrogen and wind energy.

"The Dutch port authority is one of the biggest leaders in this regard and recognized the Paraná ports as one of the Brazilian forerunners, as a result of the work that has already been done over the past four years. This is an important step towards building the port of the future, where business will prosper, generating jobs and income for people, with the least possible impact on climate and nature," said the CEO of Portos do Paraná, Luiz Fernando Garcia.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding is part of the three-year "Green Ports Partnership" collaboration program.  "It is a pride for all the people in Paraná State to be recognized and to be one of the chosen ones for this partnership. The initiatives related to energy transition are very new and this choice was based on the innovative environment that Paraná offers," reinforced the State Secretary of Infrastructure and Logistics, Sandro Alex.

The agreement provides the exchange of knowledge, with the purpose of mitigating risks and creating a positive impact, in particular, on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "These global goals were stipulated by the United Nations (UN), to be met by 2030. The ports of Paraná are signatories and are constantly working to minimize the negative effects of port activity on the surroundings, explains Director of Environment, João Paulo Ribeiro Santana.

The partnership with the Port of Rotterdam seeks to meet the following goals: 

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.