left to right: Boudewijn Siemons, The Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb, Sophie Hermans, Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, Willemien Terpstra, Mechthild Wörsdörfer
Construction of the Porthos Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in the Port of Rotterdam is forging ahead, marking a significant milestone as the first large-scale CO2 transport and storage initiative within the European Union. This groundbreaking project is setting the stage for more extensive CCS ventures in north-west Europe, laying crucial foundations for a future where CO2 emissions can be effectively managed and reduced.
The launch of the Porthos project was a momentous event, attended by key stakeholders including Rotterdam’s Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth Sophie Hermans, and Deputy Director-General for Energy at the European Commission, Mechthild Wörsdörfer. Alongside them were CEOs from Porthos’ key shareholders: Gasunie, EBN (Energie Beheer Nederland), and the Port of Rotterdam. Minister Hermans emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “CCS is crucial to meet climate targets. By building the first large-scale transport and storage system for CO2 in the Netherlands, Porthos is taking a big step. This will allow the industry to reduce emissions and keep a competitive industry here in the Netherlands.”
The Porthos Project: A Pioneering Initiative
Porthos is developing an innovative infrastructure to transport CO2 from various industries in the Rotterdam port area to depleted gas fields located beneath the North Sea. Major companies like Shell, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide, and Air Products will provide CO2 to an open-access pipeline traversing the port. From there, the CO2 will travel through an offshore pipeline to an existing platform about 20 kilometers off the coast, where it will be injected into porous sandstone reservoirs more than three kilometers beneath the sea floor.
Recognized by the European Union as a project of common interest, Porthos has already secured €102 million in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility. This investment underscores the EU’s commitment to fostering sustainable, long-term solutions for carbon management.
Building the Future of CCS
The Porthos project is more than just a local initiative; it’s a key piece in the puzzle of creating a pan-European CCS network. The onshore pipeline is designed with a capacity far beyond the initial 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year, prepared to handle up to 10 million tonnes, which can support future projects like Aramis. The construction of a new compressor station, set to become the heart of this future CO2 hub, further cements Rotterdam’s role as a key player in the European CCS landscape.
The larger vision is clear: a network that spans across Northwest Europe, linking with the Delta Rhine Corridor and beyond, potentially incorporating advanced technologies such as Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Bioenergy CO2 Capture and Storage (BECCS). This interconnected network could one day achieve negative emissions, balancing out the CO2 released by industries across the continent.
The Road Ahead: From Local to Global
Currently, CO2 storage is seen as a bridge, allowing industries the time needed to transition from fossil fuels to low- or zero-carbon alternatives. As Willemien Terpstra, CEO of Gasunie, puts it, “CO2 transport and storage are crucial steps in building the infrastructure needed to decarbonize our industry.” With projects like Porthos, Aramis, and CO2next, the groundwork is being laid for a resilient, interconnected CO2 transport system.
Looking ahead, construction of the Porthos infrastructure is in full swing. The 30-kilometer collector pipeline in the port is already taking shape, with work on the Maasvlakte compressor station and cooling water pumping station slated to begin later this month. The offshore segment and platform construction are set for 2025, with operations expected to commence in 2026.
As Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, points out, “This project is an important contribution to the goal of a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions in the Rotterdam port area by 2030 and a CO2-neutral port by 2050.” The ambitious timeline and scale of the Porthos project not only demonstrate Rotterdam’s leadership in CO2 reduction efforts but also signal the beginning of a new era for CCS projects across Europe.
