Green Hydrogen (H2V) Logistics in Brazil: Comparison of Modals and Environmental Impacts

Abstract

Cargo transport in Brazil is composed of road, rail, waterway, pipeline and air modes. The road modal stands out, representing about 64.8% of the total cargo transported in the country, according to data from the National Transport Confederation (CNT) in 2023. The rail modal configures 14.9%, while other modes, such as waterway, correspond to smaller portions, with cabotage and waterways, adding up to 12%. In the transport of dangerous products, the choice of the most appropriate modal must consider not onl y technical and safety aspects but also costs and environmental impacts. Green hydrogen (which is characterized as a dangerous product) has been consolidated as an essential element in the global energy transition. Ensuring its economic viability in Brazil requires optimization in transpor tation methods. Although the road modal is predominant in the transport chain of dangerous products, the other modes, such as rail, pipeline and waterway, can contribute significantly to the chain, reflecting even more relevance due to their greater efficiency, safety and contribution to the reduction of environmental impacts. To enable the use of the various modes available, it is essential to invest in infrastructure, such as the expansion of road and rail networks, retrofit or construction of new pipelines, as well as the modernization of ports and waterways. These investments are essential to improve efficiency, increase safety and enhance the contribution of these modes in reducing environmental impacts, offering more sustainable alternatives in a context of a low-carbon economy. This article proposes a detailed comparison of the modes for transporting green hydrogen. The advantages, limitations and environmental impact of each modal were analyzed. Qualitative research was used as a methodology, based on bibliographic research and observations. The article aims to contribute to the analysis of the most appropriate mode of transport for the transport of green hydrogen, in terms of sustainability and efficiency, comparing the operating scenarios (involving costs, infrastructure, among others), in order to identify viable solutions that meet the economic, environmental and technological demands for the global energy transition.