Port of Newcastle has joined forces with ten global energy enablers to commit to the Platform Zero Global Partnership for Hydrogen Innovation - a collaborative global partnership to support hydrogen innovation.

CEO Craig Carmody and Chief Commercial Officer Simon Byrnes, who are visiting the Netherlands for the World Hydrogen Summit, signed a Memorandum of Understanding under supervision of the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, to accelerate the renewable energy transition with Platform Zero, Port of Rotterdam, the City of Rotterdam as well as key Universities and Innovation Hubs from around the world.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with such a strong cohort of leaders in this space and to be a leading voice for our sector and region as the only Australian Port represented among these global energy industry enablers,” Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said.

“This partnership is another milestone of our diversification strategy. It puts Port of Newcastle at the table alongside like-minded global leaders in the sector, enabling us to work together to develop and scale innovative hydrogen technologies and overcome key bottlenecks to enable the hydrogen and clean energy transition and trade pathways.

 “As we work to bring our Clean Energy Precinct to reality, the benefits of this virtual global innovation hub will be exponential, allowing our Port and Region to learn from international Ports, researchers and clean energy producers, whilst contributing to the development of the Innovation Road Map that will enable a global hydrogen economy,” he added.

Chief Commercial Officer Simon Byrnes said that partnerships like these will be key to the future enablement of a scalable clean energy trade pathway at Port of Newcastle.

“Within the Platform Zero partnership, universities will contribute through developing the relevant new technologies and solutions, where Ports, like Port of Newcastle, and innovation hubs, will develop infrastructure to support storage, transportation and scaling of innovative hydrogen technologies that enable the clean energy transition.”

“As the designated NSW hydrogen hub, we are at the forefront of creating a new economy – one which faces many technological challenges in order to make it scalable, economical, reliable and safe. So, collaborating with other innovators who are developing and scaling new technologies will be the key enabler for a hydrogen economy.”

Platform Zero founder Mare Straetmans said he was proud to bring together ports, universities and innovators from Australia, Brazil, Chile, Portugal, UK and the Netherlands to commit to accelerate innovation for green hydrogen.

‘Australia is a critical partner in the development of a green hydrogen economy. By sharing knowledge and best practices on innovation ecosystems for hydrogen, these ten organisations from around the world will share, scale and support hydrogen innovation and each contribute to the global acceleration of this economy,’ he said.

With further membership expected in the future, the 10 companies to date who have signed the partnership agreement alongside Port of Newcastle are Port of Rotterdam, HunterNet Newcastle, Newcastle Institute for Energy and Reseources (NIER), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Imperial College of London, Complexo do Pecem, Gemeente Rotterdam and Wicked Acceleration Labs.

Port of Newcastle was also recognised as a finalist at the World Hydrogen 2023 Awards in the Port of the Future Award category, with the Netherlands Port of Rotterdam being named this year's winner at the Awards ceremony held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. 

As a finalist at the pinnacle event for world hydrogen, in esteemed company, Port of Newcastle has reaffirmed its commitment toward a cleaner, greener future through its work in helping drive hydrogen and clean energy production in the Hunter region.   

The Port was named one of four finalists for the Award, which recognises ports who have current hydrogen projects in place that have made a significant contribution to the crucial role of becoming a hub for hydrogen development and sustainability, alongside Denmark’s Port of Esbjerg, Port of Roenne, and the winner, Port of Rotterdam from the Netherlands.   

“Although we did not win the category, the fact the world’s largest coal port is sitting alongside such progressive ports as a finalist at the World’s Hydrogen Awards, is a clear indication Port of Newcastle’s diversification journey is heading in the right direction,” Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said.  

“We have been exporting energy for over 200 years, and through our Clean Energy Precinct, we will ensure that our region continues to do so sustainably for another 200 years.     

“Our port is changing for the future, and we remain focused on collaboration, diversification and developing clean energy trade pathways, career opportunities and jobs for generations to come.”