Waterborne Signs MoU with Hydrogen Europe
Hydrogen Europe and the Waterborne Technology Platform signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 13 May 2019 to foster opportunities of hydrogen based fuels as part of zero-emission waterborne transport.
The European research and innovation platform for waterborne industries said in a press release that this MoU will help both parties to identify opportunities for hydrogen-related technologies in order to reduce the significant emissions of waterborne transport.
Furthermore, the MoU will help them both to explore the contribution of the waterborne sector in scaling up the development of hydrogen technologies in ports and industrial zones, in synergy with other sectors (e.g. energy intensive industries) and other modes of transport.
The European energy transition is underway and, with this in mind, the waterborne and hydrogen sectors are ready to cooperate in order to contribute together to ensure Europe’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.
The waterborne sector is a core strategic and economic sector for Europe. Maritime systems, equipment and technologies produced in Europe, and ships built in Europe are used for civilian as well as naval purposes. These products are, amongst others, key for the EU’s internal and external trade, for the EU’s mobility policy (i.e. combating road congestion) and also for Europe’s defence and security (e.g. protection of Europe’s coastlines, maritime regions, maritime jurisdiction and citizens).
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, a fuel and a raw material, which if produced adequately can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen energy independence. As the “gaseous form of electricity”, it is an enabler for sectoral integration.
The Chairman of the Waterborne Technology Platform, Henk Prins, said “In its recently published Strategic Research Agenda, the Waterborne Technology Platform has identified zero-emission waterborne transport towards 2050 as one of its key missions. As a diversified sector – both in terms of ship size, ship types and ship distances – waterborne transport will be dependent on various types of energy as marine fuel to reach its goal to become a zero-emission mode of transport. Hydrogen has clearly the potential to become one of these energy types and I am therefore glad that Hydrogen Europe and the Waterborne Technology Platform have signed today’s MoU.”
“With the scope of zero or very low emissions, the waterborne sector is naturally considering the option of fuel cells and hydrogen technology. ” added Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, President of Hydrogen Europe.
