Buildout of Entire Value Chain is Calling for Significant Breakbulk Support
This is a preview of a feature story on hydrogen infrastructure that will appear in the January-February edition of Breakbulk Magazine.
The Port of Rotterdam, host port for Breakbulk Europe 2023, is being seen as Europe’s hydrogen hub. Already boasting an impressive hydrogen market and infrastructure, the port is aiming to have 20 million tonnes of hydrogen routing through its complex by 2050.
The region’s premier breakbulk hub is working with various partners to expand its network.
Most recently, the port announced a feasibility study with 18 other companies for a large-scale ammonia cracker that would allow 1 million tonnes of hydrogen to be imported via Rotterdam every year.
According to the port, making hydrogen available throughout Europe depends on the development of the entire value chain.
This starts with the expansion of renewable energies and extends to the construction of production facilities - including carbon capture and storage for blue hydrogen - and pipeline infrastructure to transport the hydrogen to industrial plants throughout the region.
“We see that the parts of the value chain are manufactured all over the globe and will come as sub-systems to the factories,” said Randolf Weterings, programme manager for electrification and hydrogen at the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
“Think about electrolyser stacks, transformers, compressors, etc. which are really big pieces of equipment. Therefore, we definitely need sufficient logistics, which fits very good with the developments in the breakbulk sector in the Port of Rotterdam.”
Breakbulk Europe 2023 is taking place on 6-8 June at the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre.
PHOTO: Randolf Weterings. CREDIT: VI360
