ABS and Japan Blue Energy (JB Energy) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support development of the proposed Aura Sul Wind Project, a floating offshore wind pilot planned offshore Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 

Under the agreement, ABS will conduct studies on port decarbonization and decommissioning planning for JB Energy's Raijin Float floating wind foundation.

The port study will evaluate electrification, renewable energy integration, low-carbon logistics, clean fuels and related infrastructure, while the decommissioning assessment will examine platform removal, towing, dismantling, recycling and reuse opportunities. 

According to the companies, the collaboration is intended to incorporate life-cycle planning and sustainability considerations during the project's early development stages, supporting the potential growth of floating offshore wind in Brazil. 

The project is part of a broader push to develop Brazil's offshore wind sector following the establishment of a regulatory framework for offshore wind leasing and development.

JB Energy says the modular concrete design could reduce construction time and installation costs by up to 50% while enabling local manufacturing in Brazil.

Designed for local manufacturing

JB Energy's Raijin Float foundation uses a modular precast and prestressed concrete semisubmersible design intended for local manufacturing in Brazil.

JB Energy says the platform is specifically designed for domestic manufacturing in Brazil, leveraging:

• The country's cement industry;
• Existing shipyards;
• Offshore engineering expertise developed through decades of oil and gas activity; and
• Port infrastructure around Rio Grande.

If developed, Aura Sul would serve as an early test of whether concrete floating wind foundations can leverage Brazil's existing offshore oil and gas supply chain, port infrastructure and engineering expertise to help reduce floating wind deployment costs.