Hydrogen energy will play a key role in the decarbonization of European inland ports

Inland ports determine their huge role in Europe's hydrogen energy transformation.

On 24 May 2023, the European Inland Ports Federation (EFIP) finalized its position on the development of hydrogen energy in European inland ports.

Hydrogen energy has been identified by the European Union as one of the major energy carriers in the future, which will help realize the green energy transition. This requires a similar green transformation of Europe's logistics systems and energy networks, and ports will play a central role in this transformation.

In 2023, the European Inland Ports Association and VIENNA think Tank organized a series of seminars on the use of hydrogen energy in inland ports. In this series of seminars, the European inland ports reviewed various aspects of hydrogen energy development and application in inland ports by inviting a wide range of experts. The final workshop was held on 27 April, bringing the series to an official close.

The position paper "Hydrogen for the Success of Europe's Inland Ports" highlights the key role that inland ports will play in Europe's hydrogen energy transition. Inland ports, as intermodal transport hubs, will facilitate the deployment of sustainable hydrogen technologies that will help decarbonize the industrial, logistics and transport sectors while contributing to economic development and job creation.

Deployment of sustainable hydrogen technology at inland ports would dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Inland ports have the potential to become an important part of the hydrogen energy supply network, acting as local suppliers and distribution centres, supporting the construction of hydrogen valleys and accelerating the application of hydrogen technology.

At the same time, the European Inland Ports Association has clarified several challenges that hinder the deployment of sustainable hydrogen energy solutions in inland ports, including infrastructure constraints, financing difficulties, legislative uncertainty, licensing procedures and size constraints. To overcome these challenges, the Hydrogen for the Success of Europe's Inland Ports position paper also makes recommendations such as ensuring a coherent legal framework, developing a comprehensive strategy for hydrogen deployment, supporting public-private partnerships, ensuring reliable investment channels and promoting innovative solutions.

"Hydrogen will play an undeniably important role in the EU's energy transformation," said Turi Fiorito, director general of the European Inland Ports Association. Ports, as industrial and logistics hubs, must accommodate and support hydrogen development. To ensure success in the years to come, as a port, we must chart our direction and role in this development from now on."