The Ports of Duisburg (duisport) and Rotterdam have launched a new feasibility study as the next phase in their collaboration to establish European hydrogen networks.
According to the Port of Rotterdam’s feasibility assessment, a large rise in demand for low-carbon hydrogen of more than 3 million tonnes per year is predicted in North Rhine-Westphalia until 2045.
Methanol consumption is also predicted to rise dramatically, reaching more than 2.5 million tonnes per year.
However, greater information on supply and demand is required, and duisport and the Port of Rotterdam are mediating between the governmental and corporate realms to match supply and demand and give the essential clarity to assist speed up investment and subsidy decision-making.
The ports 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.
OCI Global is working with the ports to demonstrate that the planned hydrogen corridor between Rotterdam and duisport is already in place and well-positioned to satisfy the significant demand for low-carbon, renewable hydrogen in the Ruhr region.
OCI Global runs the Port of Rotterdam’s only ammonia import terminal, which it is upgrading to increase its throughput capacity in anticipation of rising demand for ammonia as a greener fuel in difficult-to-abate industries.
OCI also operates a methanol import terminal and, earlier this year, the company announced two new green methanol partnerships in the Port of Rotterdam: with Unibarge to develop the world’s first dual-fuelled bunker barge powered by OCI HyFuels green methanol, and with X-Press Feeder Lines to supply green methanol for their new-build methanol dual-fueled common feeder ships.
Both projects are scheduled to be deployed next year.
In June, OCI announced it is fuelling the first ever green methanol-powered containership in partnership with Maersk.
One month later, the Port of Rotterdam conducted a joint study with the Tasmanian government, which conveyed the potential in importing green hydrogen from the island.
Source: Port Technology International
