Air Products and Mabanaft to build Germany’s first large-scale green hydrogen import terminal – Chemical Engineering

November 21, 2022 | By Mary Bailey

Air products (Lehigh Valley, Pa.) and Mabanaft, through its subsidiary Oiltanking Deutschland, announced their intention to build Germany’s first large-scale green energy import terminal at the Port of Hamburg. This joint development agreement is an important step in the development of the green ammonia import and distribution infrastructure at the Port of Hamburg. The project was announced at a ceremony in Hamburg supported by Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, and Hamburg’s first mayor, Dr. Peter Chenscher.

The planned import terminal, designed to supply hydrogen to Germany in 2026, is to be located at the existing Mabanaft tank terminal at the port. This location offers strategic access to green ammonia from large-scale green hydrogen production facilities operated by Air Products and its partners worldwide. The intention is to convert the ammonia into green hydrogen through Air Products’ plants in Hamburg before distributing it to customers locally and throughout northern Germany. This plan responds to the growing demand for clean energy to meet climate goals and the need to diversify energy sources.

“Together with Mabanaft, we look forward to making further progress in our plans to import much-needed renewable energy into Germany through our planned facility,” said Air Products’ chairman, president and CEO. Seifi Ghasemi. “As the world’s largest producer of hydrogen, Air Products is in an excellent position to meet demand by committing billions of dollars to renewable energy production around the world. Air Products is very grateful for the support and visionary leadership of the German government, as evidenced by the presence of Minister Habeck, the Port of Hamburg and other members of regional and local authorities at today’s ceremony,” he added.

“We are pleased to partner with Air Products, the world’s leading producer of hydrogen, on the development of this terminal. As a result, we will make significant investments and deploy our energy infrastructure capabilities and expertise to accelerate the energy transition in Hamburg as a key import gateway for Germany,” confirmed Volker Ebeling, SVP New Energy, Chemicals & Gas at Mabanoft. The plant addresses the immediate challenge of decarbonizing the components of the mobility sector and industrial processes, in particular by paving the way for climate change for the respective customers Mabanaft and Air Products. “This project underlines Mabanaft’s commitment to conduct our business in an economically, environmentally and socially responsible manner,” Volker Ebeling added.

Federal Minister for the Economy and Climate Action Robert Habeck said: “Now more than ever, we need to develop a hydrogen economy. For this we are setting up our own hydrogen production in Germany, but of course we also need imported hydrogen. Accelerating the energy transition with greater speed in expanding renewables and building up green hydrogen is the right response to Russian aggression and the right response to strengthen energy security, sustainability and competitiveness.”

The first mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Chenscher: “Hamburg offers excellent conditions for the import, distribution and use of green hydrogen. Already today, it is clear that the demand for hydrogen in Germany far exceeds domestic production capacity. As a traditional trading city, we maintain good relations all over the world, and the interest of our international partners in the development of the green hydrogen economy is great. Hamburg aims to become Europe’s leading hydrogen destination. We want to help ensure Germany’s energy security and contribute to the decarbonization of industry and the economy.”

Hamburg Senator for Economic Affairs Michael Westagemann: “The development of the green hydrogen import infrastructure is of utmost importance. This is the only way we can meet the huge demand for green hydrogen in the future. Hamburg with its port, geographical and infrastructural position and connections is designed for this. I am therefore delighted that Hamburg’s green hydrogen import strategy is being implemented today through the planned construction of Germany’s first import terminal at the Port of Hamburg. In this way, Hamburg is becoming one of the leading hydrogen distribution centers in Europe. For this reason, we now have very strong business partners on our side.”

Jens Mayer, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority, said: “The Port of Hamburg is committed to climate protection. After completing the first important milestone by signing a memorandum of understanding in February 2022 with Air Products, we are pleased to now take the next important step towards creating a hydrogen value chain in collaboration with our competent partners, Air Products and Mabanaft, the central companies of which will be importing green ammonia for conversion to green hydrogen. Hamburg will be one of the first ports in the world to offer clean hydrogen import infrastructure. These imports will contribute to decarbonisation for several port applications as well as shipping applications.”

Today’s announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding that Air Products and the Hamburg Port Authority signed in February 2022. Both parties have committed to accelerate the production, supply chain and consumption of renewable hydrogen in northern Germany and the Free Hanseatic Land of Hamburg.