The Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The aim of the partnership is to establish a reliable and economical supply chain for green liquid hydrogen via the Port of Hamburg to the European hinterland, it says.
The collaboration is intended to enable the import of liquid hydrogen from hydrogen-producing countries into Germany and, in particular, to strengthen the Hamburg site as a central hub. In the coming months, the partners will examine the logistical requirements for handling and onward transport by road and rail.
Further transport with Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck
In addition, they aim to attract further companies and institutions to form a consortium along the entire hydrogen value chain. Dr. Andreas Gorbach, Member of the
Board, Daimler Truck, responsible for Truck Technology:
“Europe will continue to rely on imports for green energy – hydrogen will play a key role here. This partnership is an important step in this direction, and we will need more initiatives of this kind to strengthen Europe’s leadership on the topic of liquid hydrogen. The notable thing: Our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck can not only act as a customer for green liquid hydrogen, but also enable onward transport on the road. And the best part: With hydrogen we accelerate the pace of decarbonisation – and reduce the scope and costs of the already sluggish power grid expansion.”
Strong signal for the energy transitionThe signing of the memorandum of understanding should underline the strategic importance of liquid hydrogen for the energy transition and the transformation of
European industry. To this end, the partners contribute their respective expertise. HHLA acts as the European network logistics operator, Daimler Truck as a global commercial vehicle manufacturer with a focus on CO2-neutral drivetrains such as battery-electric and hydrogen-based, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries as an experienced technology provider in the field of hydrogen infrastructure. Annette Walter, Chief Financial Officer, HHLA:
“Hydrogen is a key to a climate-neutral future – and at HHLA we want to actively shape this development. Liquid hydrogen plays a central role because it can be transported independently of pipelines – a major advantage for mobility, logistics, aviation, and especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Our goal is to reliably supply industry with hydrogen through our European logistics network. The partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Daimler Truck is an important
step to make liquid hydrogen more broadly available and to advance decarbonisation together.”
And Kei Nomura, Executive Central Manager, Hydrogen Strategy Division, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., adds:
“Liquid hydrogen is a key lever for a sustainable energy society. We have long been working to build the technological basis for it. We are very pleased about the collaboration with HHLA and Daimler Truck to explore an international supply chain for liquid hydrogen in Europe – starting in Hamburg. Kawasaki Heavy Industries possesses proven technologies and extensive experience in the production, storage, transport and reception of liquid hydrogen. We will use this know-how to support the development of a hydrogen supply network in Europe. In the future as well, we will rely on global partnerships to expand the use of liquid hydrogen and accelerate decarbonisation.”
