Port of Bilbao, Port of Amsterdam, and Duisport, along with key partners, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the creation of an intra-European corridor for renewable hydrogen. This ambitious endeavor aims to connect Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany, aligning with the European Union’s vision for such corridors, actively supported by the Spanish, German, and Dutch governments.
Green Corridor Expansion
This MoU expands on a prior agreement between Bilbao and Amsterdam, focusing on establishing a corridor facilitating the export of Basque-produced renewable hydrogen to Amsterdam for local consumption. With the inclusion of Duisport, the corridor gains momentum, with the Port of Amsterdam poised to become the gateway to the German market. This strategic move opens avenues to supply Basque hydrogen to major industrial consumers in the Rhine-Ruhr region.
Collaborative Initiatives
The collaboration involves key stakeholders focusing on various aspects. Petronor, based in the Basque Country, will be at the forefront of renewable hydrogen production. Duisport, Europe’s largest inland port, aims to transform into a European hydrogen hub. Port of Amsterdam, already a global energy hub, is committed to becoming a key destination for imported renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, serving as a transshipment hub to supply the German hinterland.
Key Signatories
The MoU was signed by prominent figures representing the involved entities. Andima Ormaetxe, Director Operations, Commercial, and Logistics of Port of Bilbao; Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisport; Aitor Arzuaga, Director General of Alba Emission Free Energy by Petronor; Iñigo Ansola, General Manager of EVE (Basque Energy Agency); Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director of Port of Amsterdam International; Ellen Ruhotas, Head of New Energies of Zenith Energy Terminals; and Bart van der Meer, Business Development Manager New Energies of EVOS Group, all put their signatures on the collaborative initiative.
Industry Perspectives
Andima Ormaetxe of Port of Bilbao emphasized the environmental leadership of the port and its aim to be carbon neutral by 2050. Duisport’s Markus Bangen highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in tackling global challenges, particularly in the energy transition. Dorine Bosman, Chief Investment Officer at Port of Amsterdam, expressed commitment to the decarbonization of industries within Europe.
Forward Momentum
The signing ceremony took place during the H2 Connecting Event in Duisburg, witnessing the presence of dignitaries including His Majesty the King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and representatives from the German and Dutch governments. Duisport and Port of Amsterdam also signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) to conduct a comprehensive study on all aspects related to establishing a resilient supply chain for hydrogen between Amsterdam and the Rhine-Ruhr region.
This collaborative effort marks a significant stride towards a sustainable future, leveraging the strengths of each port to create a robust intra-European corridor for renewable hydrogen. The commitment to decarbonization and cross-border cooperation sets a precedent for other regions to follow suit.
