(Antwerp / Belgium) – Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport) and the Authority of Port of Antwerp-Bruges NV have already attracted attention several times with plans to use hydrogen. Now their managing directors want to join forces and work together in the long term.
International hydrogen supply chain
The cooperation looks initially 
expansion in the areas of energy transition, rail and hinterland connections and port infrastructure. The heads of administration agree that the European energy system will “increasingly focus on sustainable energy sources” and that green hydrogen carriers play a crucial role.
“The development of solutions for the import, storage and distribution of green hydrogen in various forms is therefore one of the most important strategic pillars of the cooperation between the two ports,” the companies said. The aim is to build an international supply chain for hydrogen in which “both partners develop into central hydrogen hubs for Europe”.
Rolling pipeline connection
The ports therefore want to develop a pipeline connection. A “high-frequency rail shuttle” is also planned: The railway is to be established as a “rolling pipeline”, so to speak. The development of environmentally friendly port handling equipment is also part of the joint agreement.
Duisport had already concluded similar agreements with the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam in May and June of this year. “Against the background of the current global challenges, it is only logical that we sustainably strengthen our European partner network and work even more closely together,” says Managing Director Markus Bangen.
Climate neutral by 2050
Both ports are aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. The port of Duisburg is the largest inland port in the world. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is involved in two thirds and the city of Duisburg in one third. In December, the company completed the construction of a climate-neutral Container terminals announced on the former “coal island”.
In November the declared Plug Power Inc., US manufacturer of fuel cell systems and hydrogen solutions, is locating its new European headquarters in Duisburg and justified this, among other things, with the direct maritime delivery routes to Antwerp and Rotterdam.
The port of Antwerp-Bruges was created in April 2022 through the merger of the previously competing ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge and is now the second largest in Europe. The shareholders are the city of Antwerp and the city of Bruges. In July the operator joined the German H2Global Foundation which aims to expand and advance the production and use of green hydrogen in Europe.
Plug Power wants one in the port area 100 megawatt system to produce green hydrogen with a capacity of 35 tons per day. The 30-year concession and lease agreement for a 28-hectare site was signed in June.
Photo above
The port of Duisburg is increasingly relying on hydrogen. © Duisport
Photo middle
The managing directors of Duisport, Markus Bangen (sitting left), and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Jacques Vandermeiren (sitting right), at the signing of the agreement. Standing from left to right: Josef Hovenjürgen, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry for Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Construction and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Vice Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the Board of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Annick De Ridder, the Flemish Prime Minister, Jan Jambon, and the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport, Oliver Krischer. © Port of Antwerp-Bruges / Andreas Endermann
