The cooperation agreement includes import projects for hydrogen through green ammonia, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and liquid hydrogen technologies. Vopak and Gasunie will focus on developing import infrastructure related to storage that enables further distribution of hydrogen to end users (e.g., by means of pipeline, vessels, road, and rail) and contributes to the security of supply in Northwest Europe. Both parties have a long track record in developing infrastructure and safely storing and handling these types of products.
Focus on open-access infrastructure
As independent infrastructure companies, Gasunie and Vopak will focus solely on the development as well as safe and reliable operation of open-access infrastructure. Open-access logistics infrastructure that is available to all market parties is most effective, both from the cost and environmental perspectives. It can further accelerate the import and use of green energy to a wide range of end markets.
Linking pin for energy transition
On 11 April 2022, Gasunie, Vopak and HES International announced that they joined forces to develop an import terminal for a hydrogen carrier in the Port of Rotterdam, named ACE Terminal. Ulco Vermeulen, Director of Business Development at Gasunie, said: “With this agreement, Vopak and Gasunie continue their many years of successful cooperation. Hydrogen is an essential component of the sustainable energy mix of the future. Our joint goal is to enable the international hydrogen value chain by providing the necessary import infrastructure. As a renewable energy infrastructure company, we already function as a linking pin for the energy transition in various public-private partnerships in the Netherlands. With this agreement, Vopak and Gasunie can play a role in the transport, storage and import as part of the international hydrogen value chain.”
