The cooperation will initially take place within the framework of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The aim is to enable the import of liquid hydrogen from hydrogen-producing countries to Germany, thereby strengthening Hamburg’s position as a central hub. However, as this is initially only a memorandum of understanding to examine the relevant infrastructure, it is still unclear whether this will ultimately result in permanent cooperation.
In the coming months, the partners now want to examine the logistical requirements for transhipment and onward transport by road and rail. In addition, the three partners want to attract other companies and institutions to build a consortium along the entire hydrogen value chain.
Dr Andreas Gorbach, member of the Daimler Truck Board of Management, says: “Europe will continue to rely on green energy imports in the future and hydrogen will play a key role here. The partnership is an important step in this direction, and we will need more initiatives like this to strengthen Europe’s position as a leader in liquid hydrogen.”
The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, currently undergoing testing, is set to play an important role in this. This fuel cell truck is to be produced in a small series of 100 units from the end of 2026, before going into large-scale production in the early 2030s. The GenH2 Truck can “not only be powered by liquid green hydrogen – the truck can also transport it via road,” emphasises Gorbach. Hydrogen increases the speed of decarbonisation – and reduces “the scope and cost of the already slow expansion of the power grid,” the Daimler Truck manager continues.
Annette Walter, CFO of HHLA, the operator of the Port of Hamburg, adds: “Hydrogen is one of the keys to a climate-neutral future – and we at HHLA are committed to actively shaping this transformation. Liquid hydrogen plays a central role in this, as it can be transported independently of pipelines – a decisive advantage for mobility, logistics, aviation, and especially for small and medium-sized companies. Our goal is to reliably supply the industry with hydrogen via our European logistics network.”
The three partners complement each other in their expertise for the project: HHLA as a European network logistics provider, Daimler Truck as a global commercial vehicle manufacturer with a focus on CO₂-neutral drives, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries as an experienced technology provider in the field of hydrogen infrastructure.
In line with Japan’s Basic Energy Plan, Kawasaki is working with authorities and companies worldwide to establish a hydrogen supply chain at an early stage – from production to transport and storage to utilisation. A central component of this strategy is the development and commissioning of liquid hydrogen ships in various sizes, which will be able to carry up to 160,000 cubic metres of liquid hydrogen (LH₂). Future ships will also be comparable to today’s liquefied gas carriers.
HHLA is pursuing the goal of becoming climate-neutral across the entire group by 2040. As a European logistics company, HHLA is also positioning itself in the field of hydrogen import and distribution, and has a network that extends from various seaports to the European hinterland. HHLA is also experimenting with hydrogen in the Port of Hamburg itself: as part of the Clean Port & Logistics (CPL) innovation cluster, HHLA commissioned a new portal forklift truck in September that runs on a fuel cell.
daimlertruck.com
This article was first published by Florian Treiß for electrive’s German edition.
