Ultracargo reaffirms its commitment to socio-environmental responsibility by joining the Sustainability Pact, an initiative launched at the end of January by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), under the leadership of Minister Sílvio Costa Filho. The commitment was formalized in São Paulo at the launch event, which introduced strategic guidelines to promote sustainable practices in the port, airport, and waterway sectors.
The Sustainability Pact is an unprecedented commitment by public and private organizations to practices aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda. Its goal is to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, implement social and environmental actions, and ensure the continuous improvement of corporate governance. Organizations that join the Pact can receive recognition seals—Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Diamond—based on the level of implementation of sustainable initiatives in their respective action plans, which must include indicators related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars.
According to Helano Pereira Gomes, Vice President of Ultracargo, joining the Pact reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and the development of a logistics infrastructure that respects the environment, values people, and adopts best management and transparency practices.
“Being part of the MPor Sustainability Pact reflects our purpose of leading by example and our long-term vision focused on actively contributing to a more sustainable and competitive logistics sector in Brazil. We are committed to following the established guidelines and implementing concrete initiatives that generate a positive impact on the environment and society,” he says.
Sustainability at Ultracargo
In 2020, Ultracargo set ESG goals for 2025 and 2030. These commitments are part of Grupo Ultra’s broader plan, which defines objectives for the entire conglomerate and each of its businesses based on their specific challenges and potential. The defined goals align with six key areas: Health & Safety, Governance & Integrity, Eco-efficient Operations, Community Responsibility, Value Chain, and Inclusive Culture & Diversity. Over the past years, the company has implemented significant actions in all these areas.
Regarding community responsibility, the company has prioritized education for children and adolescents and the development of local communities, particularly focusing on supporting women who are the primary providers for their households. This has led to investments in tutoring programs, teacher training, sports initiatives, and professional training programs.
In the eco-efficient operations pillar, Ultracargo has set targets related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, waste management, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Key initiatives include adopting new technologies and methods, exploring alternative fuels to petroleum derivatives, investing in rail transport—which is not only more efficient but also reduces GHG emissions compared to road transport—using 100% certified renewable energy since 2021, and reducing landfill waste disposal. Additionally, Ultracargo’s terminals have water collection systems and reuse hydrostatic test water multiple times, saving millions of liters of water.
For health and safety, Ultracargo has developed an Integrated Management System with robust initiatives to ensure comprehensive risk mapping focused on employee health and safety at all process stages. Examples of implemented actions include the launch of “Life-Saving Rules,” ongoing training and communication for employees on these principles, and the “Cuidar Bem” program, which emphasizes preventive health care for employees.
In governance and integrity, Ultracargo has implemented initiatives such as anti-corruption training for employees, reputational analysis of business partners, and monthly compliance committee meetings to address non-conformities. The company has also invested in mapping high-risk partners to strengthen compliance procedures. Furthermore, in 2024, Ultracargo became the first logistics infrastructure company to join the Instituto Combustível Legal (ICL), reinforcing its commitment to fair competition in the sector.
Regarding Inclusive Culture & Diversity, the company has developed and implemented various initiatives, such as the Operational Training Program and an internship program focused on increasing female participation. Ultracargo has also joined the Empresa Cidadã Program, extending maternity leave to 180 days and paternity leave to 20 days, including for adoptive parents. Additionally, the company created an Affinity Group—a safe space to promote discussions and gather suggestions for increasing female representation in both leadership and operational roles. More than 90 employees are actively engaged across all terminals. A major milestone in this journey was achieving the Great Place to Work certification last year.
Ultracargo also strives to influence and develop the value chain it is part of. Several initiatives reflect this commitment, including an ESG development program for suppliers, a supplier approval program that assesses governance, social, and environmental aspects, and the launch of a responsible sourcing policy, making its acceptance mandatory for new contracts.
To learn more about the company’s initiatives and ESG goals, visit: https://www.ultracargo.com.br/sustentabilidade/a-ultracargo-e-sustentabilidade/