Officially merged in April 2022, Port of Antwerp-Bruges perceives itself in a key role for the production, distribution and use of green hydrogen. Europe's largest export port is now participating in the German H2Global Foundation with an endowment sum of EUR 100,000. The foundation has set itself the goal of making green hydrogen acceptable as an energy substitute in Europe – thereby advancing the energy transition and independence from Russian gas supplies. Flemish Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V): "Flanders will need the import of sustainable hydrogen."

Hamburg/Antwerp, 13. July 2022. As Europe's largest export port, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is playing a key role in the energy transition. Its position in the international logistics chain and as a chemical cluster is crucial in accelerating the market ramp-up of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The H2Global Foundation has developed a competition-based double auction mechanism by which its subsidiary HINT.CO acts as an intermediary to purchase hydrogen and its derivatives worldwide. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) is funding the future provision of green hydrogen through the initiative to the tune of around 900 million euros.

"The idea behind H2Global is not a German idea, but a European idea that is pursuing the declared goal of accelerating the economic transition to carbon neutrality as well as independence from fossil fuels, as sourced from Russia, for example," as Markus Exenberger explains the new foundation heavyweight now coming on board. "As an energy and feedstock hub and a growing producer of green hydrogen, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a crucial factor for the logistics that enable the energy transition. Its decision to join the foundation is a sign that H2Global is a joint European and a global effort as well."

Flemish Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) is pleased that the port can join with this support: "We are going to need sustainable hydrogen for the sustainability of our industry and heavy transport. But Flanders and Belgium are too small to produce our own hydrogen, so we always have to look at import. That's why it's important for the port, as a Flemish industrial cluster, to have a role in H2Global in order to participate with Flanders in this sustainable story."

As Belgium's largest economic engine, the port authority sees itself in a leading role in climate protection issues, which it intends to strengthen with massive investments in the energy transition and as the location of a hydrogen hub. Europe's largest export port and Europe’s largest integrated chemical cluster is one of a number of well-known companies that, as part of the H2Global Foundation, advocate for an energy turnaround and greater independence from fossil fuels.

Prior to Port of Antwerp-Bruges coming on board, companies such as Siemens Energy Global GmbH, Thyssenkrupp AG, Deutsche Bank AG and Uniper have already committed to the common goals of the H2Global Foundation. The clear message from Port of Antwerp-Bruges, as Europe's largest port for vehicle handling, the home of Europe’s largest integrated chemical cluster and a leading container port, aligns well with the European and societal core of the H2Global idea. "As an energy hub, the port is one of the places where the energy transition becomes manifest in a variety of activities, from terminal handling and storage to transmission and distribution networks and off-take," said CEO Jacques Vandermeiren, commenting on his company’s financial, political and practical commitment to the H2Global Foundation. “Committing massive investments, we are striving to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Together with our partners in the Hydrogen Import Coalition and the major players on our port platform, we are already supporting projects that pursue the production, transport and storage of hydrogen. Our involvement in H2Global is intended to provide an additional boost to the market ramp-up required for this.”

The current supply situation viewed against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and the accompanying energy shortages underline the urgency: "It is currently impossible for north-western Europe to obtain all the energy it needs from renewable energy sources," says Vandermeiren, outlining the geopolitical and economic background. "The plans for importing green hydrogen from countries with much more solar energy are becoming more and more concrete." Green hydrogen - or its derivatives – will be arriving at major ports such as Antwerp-Bruges, among others. And this is where the foundation's idea behind the H2Global funding programme comes in: An intermediary auctions green hydrogen and derivatives at the lowest possible price and then sells them in Germany and Europe to the highest bidder. The expected negative difference can be compensated by the 900-million-euro subsidy from BMWK.

Today, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is already introducing alternative energy sources such as hydrogen and turning them into sustainable raw materials and fuel for the port's chemical sector. The port is also expected to play a vital role in the import and local production of green hydrogen. Initial green hydrogen production will start in 2023 with a ramp-up through 2025-2027 for large volumes of green molecules coming in from overseas. Exenberger: "The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is at the forefront of green hydrogen logistics and production in Europe. The fact that the port is so committed to our foundation and to the rapid establishment of a hydrogen market in Europe shows just how important instruments like this are for the European economic area and a common security architecture."

About H2Global

The aim of the H2Global Foundation is to promote and advance climate and environmental protection. One element in achieving the foundation's purpose is the testing of an efficient funding program for a rapid market ramp-up and import of green hydrogen and power-to-X products (PtX). For the first time, the funding mechanism enables the economic, sustainable operation of PtX plants and thereby allows the industrial market ramp-up that is now required. Accordingly, H2Global differs from previous investment support program, which primarily provide investment subsidies to develop and test PtX technologies. In order to promote the ramp-up of a green hydrogen economy efficiently and in a market economy context, H2Global employs a double auction model to determine the price. The lowest bid price and the highest selling price are each awarded the contract. In this way, the price difference to be compensated is as small as possible. By way of a divergence of terms in the purchase and sales contracts, the intermediary can also profit from possible price increases in the products sold - reducing the need for state subsidies and is therefore potentially far more efficient than previous subsidy instruments. The purchase of green hydrogen and hydrogen-based PtX products includes their delivery to Germany. Further criteria in awarding the purchase of green hydrogen and their derivatives include sustainability requirements defined by the federal government as well as the maturity of the respective projects.

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About the Port of Antwerp-Bruges

With an overall throughput of 289 million tons per year, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a critical hub in worldwide trade and industry. It is a crucial link for the handling of containers, breakbulk and for the throughput of vehicles. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is home to 1,400 companies and accommodates the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe. The port provides a total of around 164,000 jobs directly and indirectly and generates 21 billion euro.

The ambition for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is clear - to become the world's first port to reconcile economy, people and climate. As well as growing in a sustainable way, the Port also aims to focus on its unique position as a logistics, maritime and industrial centre and to take the lead in the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. Together with the port community, customers and other partners, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is actively seeking innovative solutions for a sustainable future. High on the agenda is its responsibility for the environment and the surrounding society.

The port sites of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are operated by the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, a limited liability company of public law, with the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges as its shareholders. The port employs 1,800 people. Vice-Mayor of Antwerp Annick De Ridder is President of the Board of Directors; Mayor of Bruges Dirk De fauw is Vice-President, and Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO and President of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for the port’s day-to-day management.

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SCRIVO Public Relations / H2Global

Contact: Tristan Thaller

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