HPC Takes Over Project and Financial Management of the Interreg Project 'H2-Derivatives@BalticSeaPorts'
28 Jan 2025 12:00 Economy
HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) has been entrusted with project coordination and financial management for the "H2-Derivatives@BalticSeaPorts" (H2Deri@BSP) project, funded by the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027. This ambitious initiative, led by Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM), will commence in March 2025 and run until February 2028. The project's goal is to drive the adoption of hydrogen derivatives as maritime fuels and handling goods in Baltic Sea ports.
The transition to low- or zero-carbon fuels such as methanol and ammonia is crucial for achieving sustainable shipping and energy supply in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). However, port authorities, terminal operators, maritime fuel suppliers, and energy providers face significant knowledge gaps. H2Deri@BSP addresses these challenges through transnational cooperation in market forecasting, investment models, refueling technologies, berth mapping, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the handling of hydrogen derivatives.
As the appointed service provider, HPC will take on the following responsibilities:
Project Coordination: Project planning, progress monitoring, administration, and support of steering committees.
Financial Management: Transparent and accountable use of public funds, including financing, accounting, and reporting.
HPC’s involvement reaffirms the company's dual expertise: Since 1998, HPC has successfully coordinated Interreg projects while possessing an in-depth understanding of the maritime industry’s sustainability challenges.
Stefan Breitenbach, Head of the Project Department at Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM), stated:
“This project is fundamental for the maritime industry in the coming decade. It enables ports to handle sustainable energy carriers and provide alternative fuels for shipping while strengthening the integration of the Port of Hamburg within the Baltic Sea Region. With HPC as a trusted partner, we are confident that the project will achieve its objectives.”
Hartmut Beyer, Head of Grant Management at HPC, added:
“We look forward to supporting our partners in developing solutions for handling and distributing hydrogen derivatives. HPC brings decades of experience in project development and coordination, combined with extensive expertise in port operations and a clear focus on sustainability.”
Comprehensive Partnership in the Baltic Sea Region
H2Deri@BSP is a joint initiative led by the Lead Partner Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM). The project brings together 15 project partners from seven Baltic Sea littoral states, including public port authorities, energy suppliers, and liquid bulk operators. In addition, the project is supported by 23 associated organizations, contributing their diverse expertise to tackling the challenges of green hydrogen derivatives.
This broad-based consortium will collaboratively develop solutions to accelerate the use of green hydrogen derivatives, establish initial application cases, and create a scalable roadmap for the green energy transition in ports. The project results will be published to ensure their applicability across all EU regions, fostering the transition to sustainable energy systems both onshore and offshore.
HPC’s Role
Working closely with project partners, HPC played a pivotal role in developing the project proposal and securing EU funding. Now, following a public tender process, HPC has been awarded the project management contract. Leveraging its extensive consulting experience and strong network in the port industry, HPC will ensure the smooth implementation of the project’s objectives.
The project results will be shared across the EU to support the rapid adoption of green technologies and significantly contribute to CO2 reduction. H2Deri@BSP serves as a prime example of how joint efforts can lay the foundation for a zero-emission future in maritime transport.
The projec's aim: to advance the use of hydrogen derivatives as maritime fuels and as cargo in Baltic Sea ports.
