Corridor for transport of blue ammonia from Norway to Rotterdam, signed

The Port of Rotterdam and Horisont Energi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a corridor for the transit of blue ammonia from Norway to Rotterdam.

Horisont Energi and the port plan to work together to export blue ammonia produced in Northern Norway from natural gas with carbon capture and storage to the Port of Rotterdam, where it will be received and distributed to satisfy predicted demand in North-western Europe.

Then, by the end of 2022, a definitive investment decision for the manufacture of blue ammonia at the Barents Blue project is expected.

By 2025, blue ammonia could be exported to Rotterdam, and Barents Blue will have a production capacity of 3,000 tonnes per day, or 1 million tonnes per year.

Ammonia is an extremely efficient hydrogen carrier, in addition to being a vital industrial gas in the fertiliser and chemical industries around the world.

As a result, ammonia is one of the most promising fuels for reducing CO2 emissions in the maritime industry.

With 13 percent of Europe’s total energy demand passing through Rotterdam, the port serves as an energy hub for the continent.

The Port of Rotterdam aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 while preserving its critical position in the European energy system.

According to the Port of Rotterdam’s projections, the need in Rotterdam in 2050 will be up to 20 million tonnes of hydrogen, equivalent to 100 million tonnes of ammonia.

Nico van Dooren, director, new business, at the Port of Rotterdam said: “There’s an important role for blue hydrogen if we want to realise the international climate ambitions.

“This is because especially in the coming years, there will not be enough green hydrogen to meet the demand. We’ll need every possible solution. We therefore focus not only on green but also on blue, just as we don’t only look at local production but also at imports.”

Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, CEO of Horisont Energi, said: “We’re excited to be working with the Port of Rotterdam to provide Europe with clean hydrogen and ammonia, while at the same time opening up a new and sustainable production region in the Barents Sea area for clean ammonia.”