Three companies develop liquid hydrogen supply chain

Under this agreement, the three companies will use their respective expertise and proceed with specific studies to establish an economically viable liquefied hydrogen supply chain to the port of Hamburg. The objective is to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD) for the supply of liquefied hydrogen and hydrogen by the early 2030s. Building on the existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Japan-Germany hydrogen supply chain, the partners will drive the international expansion of their hydrogen-related business, while contributing to the enhancement of global energy security and the realisation of a decarbonised society for a sustainable future.

Volker Ebeling, Senior Vice President New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure at MB Energy, commented: “Hydrogen can become a key enabler for Europe’s energy transition, and Hamburg is ideally positioned to become Germanys main gateway. We are combining MB Energy’s infrastructure, our service station network and our trading expertise with Daimler Truck’s next generation hydrogen truck developments and Kawasaki’s pioneering hydrogen storage and shipping technologies. Jointly we are working to build a scalable, international hydrogen import corridor for Europe.”

“Establishing a reliable liquefied hydrogen supply chain contributes to energy security as well as increased sustainability. Together with our partners, we aim to deliver this as an integrated end-to-end solution”, he continued.

MB Energy is regarded as a highly capable partner, bringing decades of expertise in fuel sourcing, trading and logistics, as well as the strength of its established supply chain and service station network, including the conversion of sites at key long-haul logistics hubs for LH2.

Daimler Truck is committed to a dual-track strategy in decarbonising transport with battery-electric and hydrogen powered drive solutions. The company aims to bring 100 liquid hydrogen powered fuel cell trucks into customer operations from the end of 2026 onwards. Series production for hydrogen powered fuel cell trucks is targeted for the early 2030s when the company expects to see the availability of the necessary infrastructure and through agreements like this also the availability of liquid hydrogen at competitive market prices.

Manfred Schuckert, Head of Regulatory Strategy at Daimler Truck, said: "Scaling hydrogen-powered trucks across Europe in the next decade will only be possible if a reliable and competitive supply of liquid hydrogen is in place. This agreement is essential because it brings key partners together to jointly study and shape a liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Europe, with a clear focus on feasibility, scalability and long-term impact. For heavy-duty transport, liquid hydrogen offers the energy density and operational flexibility needed for long-haul applications, but its potential can only be unlocked through coordinated action along the entire value chain.”

“Kawasaki Heavy Industries welcomes this Hamburg-centred initiative as a key step in building a hydrogen supply chain to Japan and Germany,” added Kei Nomura, Executive Officer and General Manager, Hydrogen Strategy Division. “By bringing our liquefied hydrogen technologies to Europe, we aim to support industrial and heavy-duty vehicle demand and help establish a scalable international hydrogen corridor that strengthens competitiveness, resilience, and climate neutrality.”

Kawasaki Heavy Industries will provide its expertise in the design and manufacture of essential infrastructure, including hydrogen liquefiers, liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage tanks, and LH2 carrier ships, which are critical to the establishment of international liquefied hydrogen supply chains. As expectations for hydrogen energy grow in the pursuit of a decarbonised society, this collaboration aims to establish efficient transportation routes from potential hydrogen-producing countries to Germany. By doing so, we will promote the utilisation of hydrogen across European industries, starting with Daimler Truck's Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs).

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/11052026/three-companies-develop-liquid-hydrogen-supply-chain/