- Ports of Belledune and Rotterdam agree to work together on clean energy solutions, hydrogen.
- Planned expansions would create additional capacity to serve local, domestic, and international markets.
The Belledune Port Authority (BPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port of Rotterdam to move dry and liquid bulk commodities together. It manufactured products between Canada and The Netherlands, focusing on green products and clean fuels, specifically hydrogen. The CEOs of both ports signed the agreement at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs in attendance. BPA CEO Denis Caron says the deal establishes a direct trade route with one of Europe’s largest clean energy markets.
Denis Caron, BPA CEO, said, This is the latest step in our journey to bring sustainable energy solutions to the world. “This agreement recognizes the benefits of working together in developing technology, infrastructure and export-import corridors for clean hydrogen from the Port of Belledune.” Also, René van der Plas, Director of the Port of Rotterdam International, said, Because of its large demand, Europe will always need to import energy. “As Europe’s largest energy port, we’re actively setting up trade lanes for renewable energy, like hydrogen. We’re in touch with countries and companies across the globe, and Belledune in New Brunswick is a very promising port regarding its hydrogen export potential.”
This agreement follows two similar clean energy trade MOUs between the BPA and the German Ports of Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg, signed in 2022. The deals will support the BPA’s planned Green Energy Hub, a unique development district for clean energy projects and complementary, low-carbon industries. In August, the BPA announced an agreement with Cross River to develop a hydrogen facility powered by green-certified energy to produce ammonia fuel for export. Planned expansions would create additional capacity to serve local, domestic, and international markets. The facility will be located at the Port’s Green Energy Hub.
The MOU with Rotterdam will strengthen the Ports’ bilateral partnership to support the energy needs of Canada and The Netherlands, focusing on producing, storing and shipping cleaner fuels such as green ammonia, hydrogen, biomass and renewable natural gas. The agreement also enables the Ports to explore the possibility of infrastructure developments; innovations, and technology advancements in the maritime transport sector as it transitions to cleaner fuels and greener energy; best practices in liquid and dry bulk products storage and shipping, particularly in the areas of pure power and green energy; and support for the development of relationships between importers and exporters in Canada and The Netherlands.