On Thursday, the 12th of January 2023, MTBS and Venturn co-hosted the “Hydrogen Value Chain Symposium”. The symposium successfully addressed the various challenges and success stories of hydrogen as key energy source in the energy transition towards a net zero port and transport system. The port shall play a central role in the hydrogen development as the energy sector, industry and mobility sector is expected to change drastically in near future. Through multiple knowledge sessions covering technology, production, storage, shipping and distribution was well as financial aspects, the Hydrogen Value Chain was discussed through in-depth contributions by various industry players:
- TNO: Technology, by Lennart Van der Burg
- HES International: Import Terminal & Storage, by Martijn Fock
- Anthony Veder: Shipping, by Gerben Dijkstra
- MTBS & Venturn: H2 Value/Supply Chain, by Willem Slendebroek
- Port of Rotterdam: Port Authority, by Monica Swanson
- Lhyfe: Production, by Bas van den Beemt
- Project Amnah Oman: Financing of Projects, by Mark Geilenkirchen
Energy Transition is impacting ports, transport and maritime sectors globally. Vast solutions are required quickly, now is the time to think BIG and act BIG! The regulatory environments puts pressure on actors to quickly improve their environmental performance via agreements and policies like The Paris Agreement, UN SDGs, and EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package (including AFIR, ETS revision, FuelEU Maritime, and CBAM).
In a decarbonized energy system, as new applications become necessary, the total hydrogen production is expected to expand by almost five times. New investments in hydrogen infrastructure are needed, among which storage capacity, port facilities and connections to the hinterland. Each of the individual actors in the value chain needs to develop its business case, although the successful development of the concept depends on the cooperation throughout the chain and competitive pricing of the green concepts compared to the fossil concepts.
Traditionally, the financial performance of business cases was a leading criterium for investments and in bid selection processes. Nowadays, inclusion of the sustainable contribution becomes an integral part of the business case evaluation. MTBS supports new green ports business opportunities globally through:
- Demand analysis, strategy and investments decisions
- Chain value reviews and public private contracting
- Providing support on financing and transactions