Sep 13 2022
Antwerp-Duisburg to establish rail ‘rolling pipeline’ for hydrogen
The port of Antwerp-Bruges and duisport sealed a significant partnership to boost their inland and rail connections. The partnership’s particulars foresee intense cooperation between the two ports for hydrogen distribution. The two partners want to establish a ‘rolling pipeline’ where rail will be the dedicated mode to transport the green fuel.
Both duisport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges want to grow into a central hydrogen hub for Europe and jointly build a hydrogen supply chain. Apart from using typical pipelines, the port companies will also deploy direct and highly frequent rail shuttle connections between them as a short or mid-term solution for hydrogen transportation.
Rail pipelines across Europe
Be it the EU’s green transition strategy, the energy crisis unfolding, the scarcity of fuels from Russia or the European ports’ know-how when it comes to fuel storing and distribution, hydrogen becomes of utmost importance, and its transportation follows the same example.
Just like other types of fuel, hydrogen is typically transported via pipelines. Yet, companies cannot wait for pipelines when new agreements demanding immediate results come into effect or when a fuelless winter is in sight. Of course, duisport and Antwerp-Bruges plan to build hydrogen pipelines linking the two ports’ facilities. Nevertheless, the need to transport hydrogen is pressing, which is why the two partners aim “to build an international supply chain for hydrogen by establishing a high-frequency rail shuttle in addition to planned pipeline connections”.
“The import, transmission and distribution of green molecules need short, mid and long-term solutions. Developing a robust multimodal supply system will be fundamental to making the change happen,” stressed Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Belgian port. “Against the background of the current global challenges, it is only logical that we sustainably strengthen our European partner network and cooperate even more closely,” stated duisport CEO Markus Bangen. Read more
Source: RAILFREIGHT.COM