Joining forces for the hydrogen economy

Cooperation agreed

27.11.2019, 08:00

Joining forces for the hydrogen economy

Seven partners in Belgium are pooling their expertise on the road to a sustainable hydrogen-based economy: The seaports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, the hydraulic engineering company Deme, the energy supplier Engie, the shipping company Exmar, the pipeline operator Fluxys and the development platform WaterstofNet.

The first step: a joint study. It is intended to lay the foundations for the implementation of concrete projects in the production, transportation and storage of hydrogen and to support Belgium in reducing the country's carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.

Belgium: Import of renewable energies necessary
It is crucial for the future viability of a sustainable hydrogen economy to be able to provide sufficient electricity from renewable energy sources for hydrogen production. As wind and solar energy are not available in sufficient quantities in Belgium, some of the necessary renewable energy must be imported.

Partners pool expertise
However, efficient and economical solutions for import, transportation and storage require special expertise. That is why seven industrial companies and public stakeholders are joining forces: Deme, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and WaterstofNet have signed a cooperation agreement to pool their expertise and take steps towards a Belgian hydrogen economy.

Roadmap for hydrogen as an energy carrier
In a first phase, the partners will jointly analyze the entire import and transport chain for hydrogen. The aim is to map the financial, technical and regulatory aspects of the various components of the logistics chain: Production, loading and unloading as well as transportation by sea and via pipelines. The result of the analysis will be a roadmap that defines the best approach for the transportation of hydrogen for the various applications in the energy and chemical sectors.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp: "We want to open up all opportunities for hydrogen as an energy carrier, as a basic element of chemistry and as a fuel, and to be an active pioneer in the hydrogen economy. As the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe, we are an important link in this process. We are also focused on cooperation with leading clusters and research institutions and want to learn from this hydrogen coalition for our international ambitions."

Back to topic page

You might also be interested in

Merger

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd agree on joint operational cooperation

Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have signed an agreement for a new, long-term operational cooperation called "Gemini Cooperation", which will start in February 2025. The aim is to create a flexible and interconnected service network in maritime...

Project logistics

Successful 2023 - subdued prospects for 2024 in Bremen

As part of the 11th Project Logistics Forum, BHV-Bremische Hafen- und Logistikvertretung presented the initial results of its survey for the current "BHV Project Logistics Monitor".

Port management

New rail transshipment facility in Bremen

Rhenus Weserport Bremen is building a fully automated new rail transshipment facility for loading aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide at Terminal 4 of Bremen's industrial port.

Intermodal transport

Rising demand for nearshoring

The trend towards nearshoring is continuing even after the coronavirus pandemic, according to Munich-based international freight forwarder Robert Kukla. The intermodal service provider is seeing continued growth in transport from Turkey and the...

Food logistics

Doubled storage space in Allermöhe

Nagel-Group is launching an extensive expansion and modernization project at its Hamburg site. Germany's largest food logistics company will completely restructure the site in the Allermöhe industrial estate.

Maritime economy

Port of Hamburg handles 58.2 million tons

Both the tense economic situation in Europe, and in Germany in particular, and the geopolitical conditions continue to have an impact on handling in the Port of Hamburg.

Seaports

Port of Hamburg suffers from loss of Russian business

The difficult economic development of the global economy is affecting the handling figures of the Port of Hamburg. As in other ports in Northern Europe, seaborne cargo throughput in Hamburg is declining, although individual trade lanes are...

Logistics center

Green logistics facility for Mercedes-Benz

The largest photovoltaic system on an industrial building in Germany to date is the hallmark of the new "C3 Bremen" logistics center in the Freight Village of the Free Hanseatic City.