BRAZIL Trends and Developments Contributed by: Livia Sancio and Alice Studart, Salomão Advogados
greenhouse gas emissions. This dual role places the sector at the centre of climate policy discussions, both internationally and within the domestic agendas of major trading nations. In Brazil, the importance of maritime transport is even more pronounced due to the country’s extensive coastline, its reliance on long-haul shipping routes and the need to integrate multiple logistics modes to ensure efficient movement of goods and passengers. Brazil is particularly well positioned to play a lead - ing role in the maritime energy transition, notably as a supplier of sustainable biofuels suitable for ship - ping. Biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, includ - ing those produced from residual feedstocks (such as used cooking oil), have already been authorised for use in vessels by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), largely due to their compatibility with existing propulsion systems. While European regulatory models tend to prioritise alternative fuels such as green ammonia, hydrogen and methanol, Brazil’s longstanding experience with biofuels may offer a competitive and complementary pathway aligned with international climate commit - ments. In December 2025, the Brazilian government launched the National Ports Decarbonisation Programme (PND- Ports) and the National Navigation Decarbonisation Programme (PND-Navigation), which include meas - ures such as port electrification to supply clean energy to berthed vessels and reduce reliance on fossil fuels in port and shipping operations. Reinforcing its sustainable credentials, Brazil hosted COP30 – the United Nations Climate Change Confer - ence – in 2025. In 2026, the Net Zero agenda for Bra - zilian shipping is expected to be shaped by alignment with the latest guidelines of the International Maritime Organization, as well as by continued technological progress in sustainable fuels. Oil and Gas: Energy Transition Alongside Continued Exploration The energy transition presents Brazil with both challenges and strategic opportunities. On the one
hand, the country holds extensive oil and natural gas reserves, including substantial untapped offshore potential; on the other, it faces increasing international pressure to accelerate the adoption of cleaner energy sources. Petrobras has articulated a strategy centred on a “just transition”, combining low-carbon initiatives with the continued and responsible exploration of offshore hydrocarbons, reflecting the understanding that the transition will be gradual and structurally complex. One of the most contested areas is the Brazilian Equa - torial Margin, which encompasses several sedimen - tary basins with high reserve potential, comparable to recent discoveries in Guyana and Suriname. Esti - mates suggest that the region may contain between 10 and 30 billion barrels of oil, potentially expanding Brazil’s reserves significantly. After years of regulatory and technical discussions, in 2025 Petrobras obtained environmental licences to commence exploratory drill - ing near the mouth of the Amazon River, in the state of Amapá. At the same time, environmental organisa - tions, Indigenous groups and traditional communities filed legal challenges seeking to suspend drilling – a debate expected to intensify in 2026. Also in 2025, Brazil obtained international recogni - tion of its claim over approximately 360,000 sq km of additional extended continental shelf, expanding the legal basis for future offshore exploration. The region remains the subject of intense debate between eco - nomic development objectives and environmental protection concerns, a tension likely to gain further prominence in 2026. Finally, the ongoing review of time-based regulations applicable to offshore support vessels – particularly those affecting the engagement of foreign operators – is expected to be one of the sector’s key “hot top - ics”, with the potential to attract new market entrants. SSE – Container Segregation and Delivery Service: Overview and Analysis of STJ and STF Decisions The legality of the Container Segregation and Deliv - ery Service (SSE) charge has been one of the most complex and contentious issues in Brazilian port law,
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