Rotterdam Port Liquid Hydrogen Strategy

Rotterdam Port Liquid Hydrogen Strategy White Paper: Key Layout for Building a European Hydrogen Hub
Amid the energy transition, hydrogen serves as a critical energy carrier in industrial, transportation, and energy storage sectors. The white paper released by the Port of Rotterdam focuses on a highly promising energy form—liquid hydrogen (Liquefied Hydrogen, LH₂), formed by cooling hydrogen to -253°C. The paper systematically outlines the current status and prospects of liquid hydrogen in production, transportation, import, and infrastructure development, clarifying its core position in the port’s future energy system.
Since 1988, liquid hydrogen has been part of Rotterdam’s ecosystem. Current market trends indicate that liquid hydrogen will play a key role in the port’s development of a future hydrogen hub. To address the challenge of insufficient local renewable energy supply in Northwest Europe, importing low-carbon hydrogen has become a necessary choice. The Port of Rotterdam is actively preparing to become a major European hydrogen import hub, with an estimated 18 million tons (equivalent) of hydrogen entering Europe via the port annually by 2050.
To support this ambitious goal, the port is building robust hydrogen infrastructure. The Hynetwork hydrogen pipeline, expected to commence operations in 2026, will serve as the backbone network for transporting hydrogen from import terminals to industrial zones within the port, and also marks the launch of Gasunie’s national hydrogen grid in the Netherlands. Simultaneously, the Rhine Delta Corridor pipeline, connecting the Netherlands to industrial regions in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is under planning to further expand the hydrogen transportation network.
Regarding hydrogen transportation, apart from pipeline transport, hydrogen must be converted into other forms when long-distance pipeline transport is not feasible. As an innovative energy carrier, liquid hydrogen is suitable for short-to-medium distance, small-to-medium scale transportation. Currently, Air Products (US), Linde Group (Germany), and Air Liquide (France) have a total liquid hydrogen production capacity of approximately 25 tons per day in Northwest Europe, capable of meeting traditional tanker truck transport volumes of up to 2 tons over distances of up to 300 kilometers.
To seize future growth opportunities, the Port of Rotterdam has reserved space and developed preliminary design plans for potential future liquid hydrogen import terminals. These initiatives will help the port become a critical link in the international hydrogen supply chain and a future-oriented hydrogen hub.