Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr: Port of Antwerp-Bruges Joins Hydrogen Network as New Member

The Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr e.V., the hydrogen industry network, welcomes the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a new member. This addition strengthens the association’s efforts to promote the development of a hydrogen economy and cross-border collaboration. Ports play a crucial role as hubs for the import and distribution of hydrogen. With Duisburg, Rotterdam, and now Antwerp-Bruges, the key central ports are now integrated into Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr e.V.

Ports as Key to the Hydrogen Economy

Antwerp-Bruges is one of Europe’s largest seaports and the world’s second-largest chemical cluster, also regarded as a major player in the hydrogen economy. “The inclusion of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is an important milestone and demonstrates the growing interest of international players in our region’s hydrogen economy,” says Thomas Patermann, Chairman of Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr e.V.

“With the combined efforts of our member ports – Duisburg, Rotterdam, and now Antwerp-Bruges – we are establishing a strong foundation to position the Rhine-Ruhr region as a central hub in Europe’s hydrogen economy,” adds Rasmus C. Beck, Managing Director of Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH.

International Perspectives on the Cooperation

Richard Schroeter, Port Representative Germany & Switzerland for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, states: “The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is actively preparing for the challenges of the energy transition and is ready to receive, handle, and distribute the first hydrogen derivatives by the end of this decade. Joining the Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr network allows us to contribute our hydrogen infrastructure and expertise, to further expand it, and to foster a seamless hydrogen value chain in collaboration with the Rhine-Ruhr region.” duisport CEO Markus Bangen also emphasizes the importance of this partnership: “As one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs, we see hydrogen as a central element in the green transformation of our industry. By working with the ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam and our involvement in Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr, we aim to build a strong, cross-border hydrogen infrastructure that provides a competitive advantage to companies in our region.”

About Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr e.V.

The Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr association is a network of over 50 members from industry, academia, and municipalities, focused on accelerating the development of a hydrogen economy in the Rhine-Ruhr region and beyond. The association’s mission is to promote industry decarbonization and the hydrogen ramp-up through targeted cooperation and knowledge transfer.