Dutch Hydrogen Coalition Seeks €400 Million Annual Support for Import Infrastructure

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A broad Dutch hydrogen coalition has called on the government to create stronger demand mechanisms and provide public financing for hydrogen import infrastructure, warning that investment decisions are unlikely without clearer market signals and long term policy stability.

On May 20, a group led by NLHydrogen and VOTOB presented the Dutch Hydrogen Trade Agenda to Minister Van Veldhoven for Climate and Green Growth. The coalition includes ports, terminal operators, industrial companies, and energy stakeholders that see hydrogen imports as a strategic pillar for the Netherlands’ future energy system and industrial competitiveness.

The agenda focuses on green and renewable hydrogen together with hydrogen carriers including ammonia, methanol, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and liquid hydrogen. According to the coalition, these carriers could support at least nine concrete import projects already under development.

The coalition argues that several exporting countries are expected to achieve large scale hydrogen production before 2030, creating an opportunity for the Netherlands to strengthen its position as a Northwest European energy hub.

Among the contributors to the agenda are Port of Rotterdam, Port of Amsterdam, North Sea Port, Advario, Air Products, LBC Tank Terminals, Power2X, Smart Delta Resources, VEMOBIN, VEMW, and VTTI. The document was also backed by companies including Shell, Vopak, Exolum, and Evos.

For the ports sector, the stakes extend beyond energy transition targets. Hydrogen imports are increasingly tied to future cargo volumes, storage demand, bunker markets, and industrial feedstock supply chains. Much like LNG terminals reshaped European gas logistics over the past decade, hydrogen infrastructure could redefine cargo flows through Northwest Europe.

A central concern in the agenda is the absence of predictable demand. The coalition states that infrastructure developers and importers are reluctant to commit capital without binding consumption targets or sector mandates.

The group is calling for European and national policies that stimulate hydrogen uptake across industry, mobility, aviation, and shipping. Proposed measures include mandatory use of sustainable fuels and alignment with neighboring countries to avoid fragmented regulation.

“Investments in import infrastructure only materialize when sufficient market demand emerges,” the coalition states in the document.

That challenge is particularly relevant for shipping and heavy industry, where operators continue to weigh future fuel options against uncertain pricing and regulatory frameworks. For terminal operators, storage developers, and transport providers, the question remains straightforward. Who commits first when both supply and demand depend on each other?

The coalition is also requesting approximately €400 million annually in public support to scale shipping transport capacity, storage facilities, and conversion infrastructure linked to hydrogen imports.

According to the agenda, this level of support could secure around 48 petajoules per year, equivalent to roughly 400 kilotons of hydrogen, for industrial users and heavy transport applications.

In addition to financing, the coalition wants faster development of the Dutch hydrogen backbone network, accelerated implementation of European regulations, and clearer certification standards for green hydrogen.

The agenda further stresses the importance of stable permitting procedures and predictable policy frameworks, arguing that uncertainty continues to delay investment decisions across the hydrogen supply chain.