German-Japanese trio to explore green LH2 supply chain via Hamburg

German logistics companies Daimler Truck and Hamburger Hafen und Logistik (HHLA) have teamed up with Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries to explore green liquid hydrogen supply chain.

IMAGE: Daimler Truck

The deal was signed at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg. It aims to explore the development of a cost-effective green liquid hydrogen supply chain via the Port of Hamburg to the European hinterland.

The collaboration will enable liquid hydrogen imports from hydrogen-producing countries to Germany. Over the coming months, the companies will assess the logistical requirements for transshipment and onward transport by road and rail.

The initiative seeks to attract more companies and institutions to form a consortium that spans the entire hydrogen value chain.

“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,” Andreas Gorbach, head of truck technology at Daimler Truck said.

The project partners bring complementary expertise to the initiative: Kawasaki Heavy Industries will contribute its hydrogen infrastructure technology, while HHLA will leverage its role as a European network logistics provider, and Daimler Truck will serve as a global commercial vehicle manufacturer focused on hydrogen-based drive systems.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries is working with government agencies and related companies, both in Japan and overseas, to establish a hydrogen supply chain from production to transportation, storage, and usage.

“A key part of this strategy is the commissioning of liquid hydrogen (LH2) carrier ships in different sizes (small, medium and large) with up to 160,000 m3 of liquid hydrogen on board and in the future ships comparable to today’s LNG carriers,” Daimler Truck said.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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