The Port of Rotterdam expands hydrogen trade preparations

The first companies at the port are busily preparing for the storage, processing and transit of hydrogen, one of the findings of a recent study conducted by the Port Authority into the development of hydrogen import terminals in Rotterdam.

By 2050, demand for this relatively clean energy carrier is expected to increase to 20M tonnes, around 18M tonnes of which will be imported.

Good start

The Port of Rotterdam believes it’s in an excellent position to embark on the import, transit and transhipment of hydrogen.

Rotterdam is already familiar with hydrogen in industry and the transhipment of hydrogen carriers such as ammonia. In addition, the port has experience in the transhipment of cold energy carriers such as LNG and chemicals such as methanol. This experience it said can be applied to the new forms of hydrogen that are anticipated: liquid hydrogen, ammonia and LOHCs.

It’s also well equipped as an import location with extensive, existing tank storage and infrastructure for hydrogen and hydrogen carriers. Thsi will allow companies to be able to develop existing fossil energy assets for hydrogen and hydrogen carriers.

The Port Authority said that four companies working in refining, energy and tank storage are actively preparing to import hydrogen. They are planning to both have the physical space and the licences to import, process and export hydrogen in various forms by 2025.

In addition, several companies are preparing to free up physical and/or environmental space by restructuring their existing product portfolio.