Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H) is the simplest and most abundant element in our universe. It has one proton and one electron. In its pure form, it occurs as hydrogen gas (H₂), also called hydrogen for short. At room temperature, it is a colourless and odourless gas that is non-toxic. Hydrogen is an important cornerstone in the energy and resource transition towards climate neutrality.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a major energy hub today. A great many companies at the port are closely involved in the production, processing and distribution of energy to and from various European and global markets. Unfortunately, this also releases greenhouse gases. Today, CO₂ emissions from the entire port area amount to around 17 million tons.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges wants to be climate neutral by 2050. This is why it is necessary to switch to green energy and raw materials.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges plays a major role in the local and international hydrogen economy or hydrogen chain by focusing on three pillars:

1. Production and import
2. Infrastructure and distribution
3. Local hydrogen consumption and transport to hinterland end-users

We get green energy from electricity we generate ourselves sustainably, through solar panels and wind farms at sea and on land. We are working on the local production of hydrogen and derivatives. This is how we are testing new technologies and have the first significant green hydrogen streams available.

A hydrogen plant in NextGen District in Antwerp that will produce green hydrogen. By combining locally produced solar and wind energy and purchased green electricity, they can produce 12,500 tonnes of liquid and gaseous green hydrogen per year for the European market.

Antwerp@C aims to capture, liquefy and store CO₂ intermediately (Carbon Capture & Storage, CCS) by 2030 and then ship it to underground storage. Using captured CO₂, natural gas is converted to blue hydrogen and stored underground. With the A@C consortium, which also includes Kairos@C from BASF and Air Liquide, work is ongoing on the necessary CO₂ infrastructure to make this possible. 

There is not enough wind or solar energy in Belgium and Western Europe to supply the port and all its users with green energy. This means we need to import renewable energy from regions where sun and wind are available in large quantities.

We are therefore committed to the global supply or importing of hydrogen and its carriers from countries such as Chile, Oman, Namibia, USA, Canada, Egypt or Brazil. There is a surplus of green electicity from solar and wind energy there. The global spread of these regions ensures that Belgium and Europe are less dependent on a small number of countries for their energy supplies. We expect the first imports in 2026.

The Hydrogen Import Coalition, comprising leading players such as DEME, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, WaterstofNet and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, recently presented a detailed roadmap for hydrogen import in Belgium. This ambitious strategic vision provides insight into possible future scenarios and the associated infrastructure development.

Industry uses both hydrogen carriers and pure hydrogen gas. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is working on plants that extract the gas from hydrogen carriers.

Air Liquide is thus building a pilot plant for cracking ammonia (NH3) on an industrial scale in the port of Antwerp. When hydrogen is converted into ammonia, you can easily transport it over long distances.

Both industry and transport at the port already consume hydrogen, ammonia and methanol today. For example, the chemical industry uses hydrogen in large quantities in the refining or production of chemicals. The market for green hydrogen and derivatives is growing rapidly: for reuse as a raw material, in heat production and heavy transport.