With the aim of supplying Germany with hydrogen from 2026 onwards, the planned import terminal is to be located at Mabanaft’s existing tank farm in the Port of Hamburg. The location provides strategic access to green ammonia from large green hydrogen production facilities operated by Air Products and its partners around the world. The intention is to convert the ammonia into green hydrogen at Air Products’ facilities in Hamburg before it is distributed to customers locally and throughout northern Germany. The project responds, on the one hand, to the growing demand for clean energy to meet climate targets and, on the other, to the need to diversify energy sources more broadly in the future.
Decarbonising the mobility sector and industrial processes
Air Products and Mabanaft are committed to driving forward the development of this environmentally friendly import facility for Germany, which will cost several million euros.
“Air Products is delighted with the support and forward-looking leadership of the German government, and we look forward to working with Mabanaft to drive this plant forward in order to import the required volume of renewable energy into Germany,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Executive Director, President and CEO of Air Products. “As the world’s largest producer of hydrogen, Air Products is in an excellent position to meet this demand, having invested billions of dollars in producing renewable energy at sites around the world. We greatly appreciate the support of the German government, which is further demonstrated by the presence of Federal Minister Habeck, the Port of Hamburg and other members of the regional and local government at today’s celebrations,” he added.
“We are delighted to be working with Air Products, the world’s leading hydrogen producer, on the development of this terminal. We will consequently be making significant investments and utilising our energy infrastructure capabilities and expertise to accelerate the energy transition in Hamburg, Germany’s most important gateway for imports,” affirmed Volker Ebeling, Senior Vice President of New Energy, Chemicals & Gas at Mabanaft. The planned facility addresses the urgent task of decarbonising various components of the mobility sector and industrial processes, and in particular of paving the way for a climate-conscious future for the respective customers of Mabanaft and Air Products. “This project underlines Mabanaft’s commitment to conducting our business in an economically, environmentally and socially responsible manner,” adds Volker Ebeling.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Dr Robert Habeck: “Now more than ever, we must drive forward the hydrogen economy. To this end, we are establishing our own hydrogen production in Germany, but of course we also need hydrogen from imports. An accelerated energy transition, with a faster expansion of renewable energies and the ramp-up of green hydrogen, are the right responses to Russian aggression and the right ways to strengthen energy security, resilience and competitiveness.”
Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher: “Hamburg offers excellent conditions for the import, distribution and use of green hydrogen. It is already clear today that the demand for hydrogen in Germany far exceeds domestic production capacity. As a traditional trading city, we maintain good relations with the rest of the world, and our international partners have a keen interest in building a green hydrogen economy. Hamburg aims to become a leading hydrogen hub in Europe. We want to play our part in ensuring energy security in Germany and driving forward the decarbonisation of industry and the economy.”
Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Michael Westhagemann: “Establishing an import infrastructure for green hydrogen is of paramount importance. This is the only way we can meet the enormous demand for green hydrogen in the future. Hamburg, with its port and its geographical and infrastructural location and connections, is ideally suited for this. I am therefore delighted that Hamburg’s strategy for importing green hydrogen is being further implemented today through the planned construction of Germany’s first import terminal in the Port of Hamburg. Hamburg is thus developing into one of Europe’s leading hydrogen distribution centres. We now have very strong partners from the business community at our side for precisely this purpose.”
Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority, commented: “The Port of Hamburg is committed to climate protection. Having reached a first important milestone in February 2022 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Air Products, we are now delighted to take this next major step: the establishment of a hydrogen value chain in collaboration with our expert partners Air Products and Mabanaft, with the import of green ammonia for conversion into green hydrogen as a key component. Hamburg will be one of the first ports in the world to offer such infrastructure for hydrogen imports. These imports will drive decarbonisation across several sectors, both within the port and in the shipping industry.”
Today’s announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by Air Products and the Hamburg Port Authority in February 2022. In it, both parties commit to advancing the production, supply chain and consumption of renewable hydrogen in northern Germany and in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
About Mabanaft
The Mabanaft Group is a leading independent and integrated energy company that provides its customers with innovative energy solutions to meet their needs in the transport, heating, industrial and agricultural sectors. The Group is active in the import, distribution and marketing of petroleum products, natural gas liquids and chemicals, and supports its customers in the transition to cleaner fuels by offering alternative long-term solutions. Through its storage subsidiary, Oiltanking Deutschland, Mabanaft is one of the largest independent operators of storage facilities for oils and biofuels in Germany. Looking ahead, Mabanaft maintains a strategic focus on growing its maritime, aviation and commercial road transport businesses across Europe, alongside its existing activities.
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About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a leading global industrial gas company that has been in operation for over 80 years and focuses on the energy, environmental and emerging markets sectors. The company has two growth pillars centred on sustainability. Air Products’ core business supplies essential industrial gases, associated equipment and application expertise to customers across dozens of
sectors, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing and food. In addition, the company develops, designs, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest industrial gas and carbon capture projects, and supplies clean hydrogen on a global scale for the global transport sector, industrial markets and the energy transition in general. Furthermore, Air Products is the world’s leading supplier of process technology and equipment for liquefied natural gas (LNG), offering turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic vessels.
The company generated revenue of 12.7 billion US dollars in the 2022 financial year, with operations in more than 50 countries, and currently has a market capitalisation of over 60 billion US dollars. More than 21,000 passionate, talented and dedicated employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products’ overarching goal of creating innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and redefine the possibilities for tackling the challenges faced by customers, communities and the world face.
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