In a landmark meeting attended by esteemed business and institutional figures including the King of the Netherlands and the King of Spain, the Port of Bilbao showcased its pivotal role in advancing a European renewable hydrogen corridor linking Bilbao and Amsterdam. The gathering, held in Amsterdam, emphasized the crucial infrastructure and facilities of both ports aimed at propelling the production, transportation, and logistics of green hydrogen, with the overarching goal of achieving zero net emissions.
The event drew a significant turnout of business and institutional representatives from both countries, underscoring the strategic importance of this collaborative endeavor. Andima Ormaetxe, the Director of Operations, Commercial, Logistics, and Strategy at the Port of Bilbao, eloquently elaborated on the port’s unwavering commitment to decarbonization. He accentuated the competitive advantages of the port and shed light on ongoing projects geared towards solidifying its position as a key player in the envisioned corridor.
Accompanying Mr. Ormaetxe were notable figures such as Iñigo Ansola, the General Director of the Basque Energy Agency, José Ignacio Zudarie, CEO at Petronor, and Aitor Arzuaga, the General Director of Alba-Petronor. Additionally, representatives from GasLog, Evos, Sunoco, and KLM contributed insights into their respective roles within the planned hydrogen supply chain connecting the Iberian Peninsula and the Netherlands, as well as the anticipated challenges and expectations.
Petronor, a subsidiary of the Repsol group, holds a significant concession in the Port of Bilbao spanning 46,700 square meters. This concession is earmarked for the development and operation of a state-of-the-art logistics and industrial terminal catering to maritime traffic. The envisioned terminal encompasses facilities for synthetic fuels production and an electrolytic hydrogen production plant, requiring a substantial investment exceeding 200 million euros. The inaugural phase of these facilities is slated to commence operations by early 2026.
The Amsterdam meeting stands as a pivotal step outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked by the ports of Bilbao and Amsterdam, the Basque Energy Agency (EVE), Petronor, and Dutch entities including SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy Terminals. This MoU aligns with the ambitious directives of the European Union to establish intra-European corridors, with both the Spanish and Dutch governments spearheading efforts to actualize this vision.
The collaborative efforts between the Port of Bilbao and its counterparts in Amsterdam underscore a concerted commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation within the maritime and logistics sectors. As these initiatives progress, they hold the promise of fostering a greener, more interconnected future for Europe’s transportation infrastructure.
