Two leading logistics players in inland shipping, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the HGK-Group, are planning a strategic collaboration for the development of climate-friendly supply chains. The companies signed an agreement to this effect (memorandum of understanding) on November 24. Both companies see themselves as having a special responsibility to develop the Rhine Corridor into a sustainable transport route for the decarbonization of industry.
With its strong position in European inland shipping, its interest in the RheinCargo freight railway line and a dense network of Rhine ports, the HGK-Group is one of the most important transport and logistics partners for energy and raw material-intensive industries.
During the signing, Steffen Bauer, CEO of the HGK-Group, said: “With our collaboration, we want to create a resilient supply chain concept for scaling up hydrogen and CO₂ capture, use and storage (CCUS) – from efficient multimodal transport solutions to the establishment of central transhipment and supply structures. Strengthening the Rhine Corridor plays a key role in this, especially for the strong chemical cluster in the Cologne region.”
The port of Rotterdam is already one of the most important import hubs for the European energy supply and is continuously working on its transformation into a sustainable energy hub as part of the energy transition. Matthijs von Doorn, Vice President Commercial, said: “This collaboration with the HGK-Group strengthens our ambition to position Rotterdam not only as the energy hub of Europe, but also as a driving force behind the decarbonization of industrial and logistics supply chains. Only by jointly investing in infrastructure for green fuels and CO₂ storage can we create a future-proof Rhine Corridor, essential for the energy transition in Europe.”
The agreement creates a joint collaboration platform that will meet at least once a quarter to coordinate projects and launch new initiatives. The focus will be on expanding the infrastructure for the transport of green ammonia, methanol, liquid hydrogen and other renewable energy sources, and on supporting cross-border CCUS activities, especially in the industrial heart of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The partnership complements existing initiatives along the Rhine Corridor and sends a strong signal for the sustainable transformation of the European industrial and logistics landscape.
Photo: Steffen Bauer (right), CEO of the HGK-Group, and Matthijs van Doorn, Vice President of Trade at Port of Rotterdam
Source: Port of Rotterdam Authority
