To mark the inauguration of its first European Research and Development centre dedicated to healthcare innovation, based at IRCAD, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Grand Est Region and the Port of Strasbourg. This initiative aims to explore further opportunities for the development of liquid hydrogen transport and industrial applications, and to assess the conditions required for the potential establishment of a secondary hub in the Grand Est region.
The presence of Yasuhiko Hashimoto, President and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, demonstrates the company’s interest in this exploratory initiative and in the cooperation established with stakeholders in the Grand Est region.
The signing of this memorandum of understanding reflects a shared interest in examining the potential of a liquid hydrogen logistics chain capable of supplying the Grand Est region, the Upper Rhine region and, more broadly, the European hinterland. It marks the beginning of a phase of work seeking to identify potential flows, industrial requirements, transport solutions and the technical, regulatory, economic and land-use conditions that would be required to accommodate a potential secondary hub.
This initial phase will therefore enable the partners to assess the feasibility of this project and progressively determine the conditions required for its implementation.
The Port of Strasbourg: gateway to a European industrial hinterland with significant decarbonisation potential
Located at the heart of the Upper Rhine region, the Port of Strasbourg is a major gateway to one of Europe’s most densely populated and diversified industrial areas. Its location is characterised by the presence of major industrial groups and chemical and pharmaceutical complexes throughout France, Germany and Switzerland, linked by a single Rhine-based logistics network. Many of these energy-intensive industries are directly affected by the challenges of decarbonisation.
Committed to a decarbonisation strategy that benefits the region and its industrial sector – notably through the ZIBAC initiative – the Port of Strasbourg (Port autonome de Strasbourg) is participating in this collaboration with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the Grand Est Region. Strategically located at the nexus of inland waterway, rail and gas corridors and the future European hydrogen transport networks, the Port is committed to exploring solutions for transporting and distributing low-carbon energy to serve regional industry and the Upper Rhine region.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a leading player in the liquid hydrogen supply chain
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has developed expertise spanning several links in the liquid hydrogen supply chain, including liquefaction, cryogenic storage, terminals and maritime transport. The group is also leading initiatives designed to link production and distribution capacities to industrial applications, particularly in Japan and Europe.
The Group has also developed expertise in hydrogen-powered propulsion systems, which could inform thinking on the decarbonisation of vehicle fleets and logistics activities.
Three priorities for assessing the feasibility of a logistics chain centred on the Port of Strasbourg
The memorandum of understanding provides for the establishment of a programme of studies and exchanges drawing on the partners’ respective expertise. This programme will focus on three priorities:
- assessing potential routes for supplying Strasbourg with liquefied hydrogen from Europe’s main maritime entry points;
- analysing the potential market for liquefied hydrogen for industrial use within the Port of Strasbourg’s catchment area;
- identifying the technical, land-use, regulatory, economic and logistical conditions required to accommodate a potential secondary liquefied hydrogen hub.
The findings of these studies will enable the partners to assess the expediency and feasibility of the project and, where appropriate, consider subsequent steps in accordance with the applicable procedures.
On the eve of its centenary, the Port of Strasbourg is reaffirming its commitment to exploring new solutions to support industrial decarbonisation. This cooperation represents an initial phase of study and assessment, intended to clarify the conditions for implementation and the potential next steps in this initiative.
“The City of Strasbourg is delighted to be part of this international collaboration through the Port of Strasbourg. Its position as a multimodal logistics hub makes it a strategic centre for developing energy sectors such as liquid hydrogen. This is an opportunity to decarbonise industry in our region and an asset for our region’s strategy to achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality target set by Strasbourg Eurometropole in its Climate Plan.” Anne-Pernelle Richardot, President of the Port of Strasbourg
“Kawasaki Heavy Industries is committed to helping build a decarbonised society by developing a liquefied hydrogen supply chain encompassing liquefaction, transport and storage. Europe is a key strategic region for our hydrogen business, and we are already engaged in developing supply chains with partners in Hamburg and Amsterdam. We are delighted to be strengthening our cooperation with the Grand Est Region and the Port of Strasbourg. Strasbourg benefits from direct access to one of Europe’s major industrial hubs, notably the Rhine basin, and, as a major rail hub, offers significant potential for the development of the European liquefied hydrogen supply network. Under this Memorandum of Understanding, we will jointly examine logistics routes, market demand and the potential for secondary terminals, with the aim of establishing a sustainable hydrogen supply chain in Europe.” Yasuhiko Hashimoto, President and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Yasuhiko Hashimoto, President and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries
“Our ambition is to make the Grand Est region an integral part of the future liquid hydrogen supply chain. The work undertaken with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the Port of Strasbourg should enable us to assess its potential for decarbonising regional industry and identify the conditions required to realise this ambition.” Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region