A feasibility study jointly commissioned by duisport and the Port of Rotterdam underscores the importance of the two ports in serving the industry's growing demand for hydrogen and its derivatives, and in mediating between policy makers, industry and future players in the hydrogen market.
The study highlights that demand for low-carbon hydrogen in North Rhine-Westphalia is expected to increase significantly to more than 3 million tons per year by 2045. Demand for methanol is also expected to increase significantly to more than 2.5 million tons per year.
The Port of Duisburg and the Port of Rotterdam therefore want to mediate more strongly between politics and industry to better match supply and demand and to accelerate necessary investments and subsidies. They are supported by the hydrogen initiative "Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr e.V." co-founded by duisport, which the Port of Rotterdam has now also joined.
Contribution to market activation and acceleration of the energy turnaround
In order to meet the expected demand, suitable land needs to be made available and the corresponding infrastructure needs to be developed. According to the study, the first (of several needed) hydrogen pipelines between the two ports should be completed by 2027 to meet the growing demand for green hydrogen in North Rhine-Westphalia (and beyond) in the medium term. Pipelines for hydrogen derivatives as well as for the export of CO2 are to follow.
Existing cooperation (via rail, road and pipeline networks) between Europe's largest seaport (the Port of Rotterdam) and the world's largest inland port (duisport) was extended last year with a memorandum of understanding on digitalization and the energy transition to jointly explore the possibilities for transports of green hydrogen, methanol and ammonia.
Collaboration as the key to the green hydrogen economy
Both ports are already taking steps to build the necessary infrastructure to support the hydrogen economy - such as the expansion of tank storage capacities for hydrogen derivatives in Duisburg or projects for hydrogen import terminals and local hydrogen production in the Port of Rotterdam.
Martin Murrack, Duisburg's city director and the department head responsible for the port, said: "By participating in this further hydrogen project, the Port of Duisburg is once again impressively demonstrating its innovative strength and charisma. Nowhere is the structural change from a heavy industry dominated by coal and steel to a green technology as tangible and urgent as here in the Ruhr region. That's why it's particularly important for Duisburg that appropriate impetus from this key technology emanates from here to support the path to decarbonization of the economy and industry."
Boudewijn Siemons, interim CEO and COO of the Port of Rotterdam: "This study confirms the important role that both ports play as hubs, facilitators and drivers of the energy transition. It shows the forward-looking activities required in both ports to build the hydrogen economy of the future."
duisport CEO Markus Bangen: "We want to bring suppliers, users and political players to the table to develop concrete solutions for a sustainable way of producing and using hydrogen. In this way, we are making an effective contribution to activating the market and accelerating the energy transition."
