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On a three-day economic mission to the Netherlands, Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Transport, Daniela Schmitt, visited the Port of Rotterdam, underlining the port’s role as a cornerstone in European freight and energy logistics.
Her meeting with Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, placed the spotlight on the Rhine Corridor, one of Europe’s most critical arteries for both cargo and future hydrogen transport. The discussion stressed the interdependence of German inland ports and Rotterdam in sustaining industrial supply chains and shaping the energy transition.
Hydrogen, Inland Ports, and Carbon Storage
A day prior to the port visit, German and Dutch stakeholders gathered in a joint workshop to look beyond immediate transport flows. The agenda revolved around hydrogen production and distribution, inland ports as future hydrogen hubs, and carbon storage options for energy-intensive industries. The emphasis was clear: cooperation across borders is essential to scale up these projects.
Boudewijn Siemons described the Rhine as not just a transport route, but an economic lifeline that ties Dutch and German industry together. “The energy transition is a European task, which we can only accomplish together and across borders. The Port of Rotterdam is connected via the Rhine to important German industrial hubs. Economically, we are one region and depend on each other. That’s why it’s only logical that we tackle the major challenges of the future together,” he noted.
A Corridor of Strategic Value
For Daniela Schmitt, the Rhine Corridor remains central not only for freight but also for hydrogen logistics. Inland ports in Rhineland-Palatinate are expected to grow into crucial nodes for clean energy transport. Strengthening ties with Rotterdam ensures that German regions remain integrated into the broader European transport network while also positioning themselves at the heart of hydrogen supply chains.
The meeting reinforced the notion that ports are no longer just gateways for goods. Increasingly, they are becoming pivotal in energy flows—particularly hydrogen—and in the technologies needed to balance industrial demand with climate commitments.
Future Cooperation on Transport and Energy
The discussions in Rotterdam and the preceding workshop highlighted the growing momentum for cross-border projects. By focusing on practical solutions such as hydrogen pipelines, inland port infrastructure, and storage options for CO₂, stakeholders are preparing the region for long-term shifts in freight and energy dynamics.
For both countries, collaboration between inland ports and major seaports could determine how resilient and sustainable their logistics and energy systems become in the next decade.
