Hydrogen in ports and industrial coastal areas

Study on hydrogen in ports and industrial coastal areas

Like other commercial players, climate and energy policies will incentivize key port stakeholders (i.e., port authorities, terminal operators, etc.) to set decarbonization targets and implement decarbonization solutions for the assets and operations under their purview. In particular, hydrogen/hydrogen carrier fuels could play a role in shifting away from the use of fossil fuels in the following activities: Maritime and inland shipping; Onshore power supply (cold ironing); Cargo handling and terminal equipment; Industrial activities located in port areas (e.g., refineries, ammonia plants, other chemicals, etc.) and Refueling of heavy-duty trucks (for loading/unloading activities) in port areas. The unfolding of the hydrogen economy will require the construction of specific infrastructure to transmit, store, convert and supply end-users, which is expected to have a fundamental impact on spatial planning and services within many European ports. In particular, ports may offer a suitable location for the development of the following hydrogen and hydrogen carrier infrastructure: New sea or land-based bunkering; Import terminals; Landing of offshore produced power; Green hydrogen production; Storage in tanks; Conversion infrastructure; Multimodal hydrogen refueling stations. European ports, and primarily those located along the TEN-T and/or TEN-E core and comprehensive networks, can be instrumental in the transportation and supply of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers. In particular, since ports are often connected to nearby industrial clusters, residential areas, and energy logistics nodes, they could serve as a natural transit hub for the transport of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers to multiple end[1]users along the coastal area and into the hinterland. Ports can provide a suitable location for the transportation of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers by pipeline, truck trailers, trains and inland ships (barges)

Hydrogen Ports