Rotterdam Hydrogen Hub - Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe

Credit: Sander de Jong

Europe's Hydrogen Hub.

Rotterdam believes in hydrogen.
The future is now.

Hydrogen is going to play a crucial role in humanity’s fight against climate change. Hydrogen is a low-carbon fuel and feedstock – vital as the world makes the transition away from oil-based fossil fuels like diesel and natural gas. Throughout its long maritime and industrial history, Rotterdam has always been at the forefront of innovation. This is true for hydrogen as well.

Rotterdam has already taken major steps to bring the production, storage, supply and demand of hydrogen together. The plans for the future are even bigger, creating the structural and logistics infrastructure for a truly future-proof energy supply.

Maritime and industry come together to provide the network, the space, the expertise, and the drive to make this happen.

Rotterdam – a unique industrial port environment

Rotterdam is more than Europe’s largest port. It is also home to a vast industrial network and associated infrastructure. This includes (petro-)chemical terminals and refineries, deep-sea terminals, offshore wind connections, and energy supply infrastructure that services the whole of Northwestern Europe.

Rotterdam has been a trusted fossil fuel hub for decades – it is now ready and able to make the switch to hydrogen. This unique industrial port environment will enable hydrogen to develop to its full potential. Plus it has multiple possible launching customers on the doorstep.

Crucially, the first steps have already been taken: Rotterdam already has many years of experience with the production, logistics and use of grey hydrogen. This existing expertise will help to facilitate a smooth rollout of the hydrogen economy and reduce risks.

Credit: Ossip van Duivenbode

An established network and innovative ecosystem

Rotterdam has always been a business hub. The sheer diversity of sectors and companies enables cooperation at every corner.

Rotterdam, as the Maritime Capital of Europe, offers everything you need within a 30-kilometre radius. As you would expect, this includes the traditional maritime companies like shipping companies, shipbuilders, manufacturers, and forwarders. But it includes all the auxiliary services such as banks, financiers, lawyers and administrative service providers too. On top of all that: the collaboration between the public and private sectors in Rotterdam is unique. Just because Rotterdam has such an established network, it doesn’t mean that it is stuck in its ways.

On the contrary, Rotterdam never stands still: it is always looking for more.

That’s why it is home to numerous educational and research institutes as well as hundreds of high-tech startups and pilot projects. Over the years, this has generated an integrated ecosystem where innovation is given the chance to shine.

Credit: Guido Pijper

An excellent logistics hub and gateway to Europe

Rotterdam has a vision for a sustainable future. Hydrogen will play a key role in this future. It will be used in multiple sectors. In manufacturing industries for high heat production; as a feedstock for the chemical sector; and as a fuel for heavy transport such as trucks, aviation and inland shipping vessels.

All these processes call for highly efficient logistics. This is one of Rotterdam’s strongest characteristics – it’s in the DNA.

Whether by inland waterway transport to the European hinterland, by feeder vessels to smaller European ports, or by pipelines carrying fuels and feedstocks, Rotterdam is the hydrogen gateway to Europe.