Daimler Truck, HHLA, Kawasaki partner on hydrogen supply

Daimler Truck AG, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to examine the development of a reliable, cost-effective supply chain for green liquid hydrogen via the Port of Hamburg to the European hinterland.

The partners will assess logistics for import, storage, and onward transport by road and rail, with the aim of forming a consortium encompassing the full hydrogen value chain.

Dr Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management at Daimler Truck and Head of Truck Technology, said: “Europe will continue to rely on green energy imports in the future and hydrogen will play a key role here. Hydrogen allows us to increase the speed of decarbonisation – and reduce the scope and cost of the already slow expansion of the power grid.”

Annette Walter, Chief Financial Officer at HHLA, noted: “Hydrogen is one of the keys to a climate-neutral future – and we at HHLA are committed to actively shaping this transformation. The partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Daimler Truck is an important step toward making liquid hydrogen more widely available and jointly advancing decarbonisation.”

The MoU underlines the growing strategic importance of liquid hydrogen for Europe’s energy transition.

The three companies bring distinct areas of expertise to the partnership: Kawasaki in hydrogen infrastructure technology, HHLA in logistics and port operations, and Daimler Truck in hydrogen-powered transport.

Kawasaki is pursuing the early establishment of a hydrogen supply chain through partnerships in Japan and abroad, including the development of liquid hydrogen carrier ships with capacities of up to 160,000 cubic metres (m³).

HHLA aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 and is expanding its role in hydrogen import, distribution, and application across its European logistics network.

Recently, Jeroen Eijsink assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at HHLA.