North Sea Port and Port of Santos Sign MoU to Develop Sustainable Green Corridor

30 Second Takeaway

North Sea Port and the Port of Santos in Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a powerful, sustainable and innovative partnership. Central to the agreement is the development of a green corridor supporting cleaner logistics flows between the two ports, particularly for fruit juice supply chains, with a strong focus on decarbonising maritime transport.

Strengthening Green Maritime Trade

Ports play a critical role in reducing emissions across global supply chains, particularly in sectors reliant on bulk and liquid cargo transport. Green corridors between major ports are increasingly seen as a practical pathway toward decarbonising maritime logistics, supporting cleaner shipping, shore power infrastructure and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

The MoU between North Sea Port and the Port of Santos reflects this shift, combining long-standing trade relationships with future-focused sustainability objectives.

Strategic Partnership Between Europe and Brazil

North Sea Port and Brazil have maintained strong trade relations for decades, particularly involving the import of orange juice and cellulose, which are key raw materials for the production of paper, cardboard and tissue products.

Brazil is currently North Sea Port’s fifth largest trading partner, underlining the strategic importance of the relationship. The newly signed MoU formalises cooperation between North Sea Port and the Port of Santos, Brazil’s largest port, with the aim of strengthening trade while reducing environmental impact.

Developing a Green Corridor

A central ambition of the partnership is the creation of a green corridor between the two ports. This initiative will focus on cleaner logistics flows and the decarbonisation of maritime transport, aligned with the international Clydebank Declaration.

Cas König, CEO of North Sea Port, highlighted the collaborative approach behind the initiative:

“Together with governments, companies and chain partners, we are working on cleaner logistics flows, including the decarbonisation of the maritime sector in accordance with the international ‘Clydebank Declaration’. A current example of this is the collaboration with the fruit juice companies in the Belgian part of our port for the development of shore power for seagoing vessels, in particular Citrosuco Europe and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC – a leading global merchant and processor of agricultural goods).”

Shore Power at Sifferdok in Ghent

One of the first concrete initiatives under the MoU is the development of shore power infrastructure at the Sifferdok in Ghent, serving seagoing vessels operating within the fruit juice supply chain.

“This will allow our seagoing vessels to shut down their engines at the quay in the Sifferdok in Ghent, reducing emissions and noise pollution,” said Henrique Santana of Citrosuco Europe.

The initiative is expected to deliver tangible environmental benefits while supporting operational efficiency for vessels calling at North Sea Port.

Industry Support for Low-Carbon Logistics

The agreement has also been welcomed by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a major participant in the juice value chain.

“LDC welcomes the development of a green corridor between the Port of Santos and North Sea Port, aligned with our own commitment to help shape a low-carbon maritime sector and decarbonize the juice value chain, from origin to destination,” said Baptiste Tanghe, LDC’s Ghent Plant Manager.

Formalising the Agreement

The MoU was officially signed on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, marking a formal commitment between the two ports to collaborate on sustainability, innovation and cleaner maritime trade.

About North Sea Port

North Sea Port is a cross-border port area stretching from Vlissingen in the Netherlands to Ghent in Belgium. The port focuses on sustainable growth, circular economy development and innovative logistics solutions across industrial, energy and maritime sectors.

Visit website: https://www.northseaport.com

About the Port of Santos

The Port of Santos is the largest port in Brazil and Latin America, handling a significant share of the country’s import and export volumes. The port plays a key role in global trade, particularly for agricultural, industrial and containerised cargo.

Visit website: https://www.portodesantos.com.br

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the MoU between North Sea Port and the Port of Santos?

The MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership focused on sustainable logistics, innovation and the development of a green maritime corridor.

What is a green corridor?

A green corridor is a dedicated trade route where stakeholders collaborate to reduce emissions through cleaner fuels, shore power and operational efficiencies.

Which industries are involved in the initial phase?

The initiative initially focuses on fruit juice companies, including Citrosuco Europe and Louis Dreyfus Company.

What role does shore power play in the project?

Shore power allows vessels to shut down engines while at berth, reducing emissions and noise pollution.

Why is Brazil important to North Sea Port?

Brazil is North Sea Port’s fifth largest trading partner, particularly for orange juice and cellulose imports.