Posted on December 19, 2024
The ports of Pecém (Ceará, Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands) and duisport (Germany) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday (November 11) with the goal of expanding the green corridor – which currently connects Ceará to Rotterdam – all the way to Germany.
The agreement is centered around the transportation of alternative fuels, including e-methanol, green ammonia, and other derivatives, to support Europe’s decarbonization and energy security goals, in line with the continent’s climate objectives. It also aims to assist Brazil’s energy transition, develop Brazilian green energy generation projects, and bring economic and social prosperity to Brazil’s Northeast region.
“In May 2023, we formalized the green corridor in the presence of then Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte. Expanding it to Germany strengthens our competitiveness and broadens the European market for green hydrogen produced in Ceará. This not only boosts our state’s economy but also benefits the development of the entire Northeast region,” said Hugo Figueirêdo, president of the Pecém Complex.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO van Havenbedrijf Rotterdam: “Wij zien het potentieel dat Brazilië, en dan met name Ceará, heeft als aanbieder van groene waterstof. We verwelkomen duisport graag in deze samenwerking om een end-to-end logistieke keten voor groene waterstof aan te leggen. Met de Delta Rhine Corridor, die in 2031/2032 opgeleverd moet worden en met de bestaande modaliteiten bouwen we aan een waardeketen van waterstof die de decarbonisatie in de industrie van Noordwest-Europa een stap dichterbij brengt.“
North Rhine-Westphalia to become Europe’s first climate-neutral industrial region
The memorandum takes into account the solar and wind energy generation potential of Ceará and Northeast Brazil, which could become a key exporter of low-cost green hydrogen derivatives. It also highlights the central role of the Netherlands in connecting Brazilian alternative fuel supplies to Germany. The Port of Rotterdam expects to import about 18 million tons of hydrogen and derivatives by 2050, with a significant portion arriving via maritime vessels accessing the Rhine Delta Corridor, which includes a network of pipelines, maritime infrastructure, and inland navigation connected to the Ruhr region and the rest of Germany via duisport.
CEO Port of Rotterdam, Boudewijn Siemons: “We recognise the potential of Brazil, and Ceará in particular, as a potential supplier of green hydrogen and welcome duisport in this collaboration to create end-to-end green hydrogen supply chains. With the Delta-Rhine Corridor, scheduled for completion in 2031/2032, and the existing modalities already in place, we are building a hydrogen value chain that will bring the decarbonisation of industry in northwestern Europe closer.”
duisport will support the port of Pecém in its further development and contribute its experience and expertise in expanding the connection to the European inland. “The agreement signed today marks a significant step towards the green transformation of industry in Germany and Europe. The establishment of stable supply chains enables sustainable decarbonization and strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of the economy. The Port of Duisburg acts as a central logistics hub in the heart of Europe and will make an important contribution to the energy transition,” said duisport CEO Markus Bangen.
The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia supports the development of international import chains for green raw materials and energy sources. “North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany’s largest industrial center and at the same time highly motivated to become the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe. To achieve this, we need green import structures, as we will continue to have to import the majority of our requirements. To this end, I have already initiated cooperation projects myself, for example in Belgium and Portugal. The cooperation that has now been signed is another important step in this direction and will also contribute to a greater diversification of our energy and raw material imports,” said Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
