Target Zero Conference: Conclusions Published

The Conclusions from the Target Zero Conference have been published and sent to participants and speakers at the Conference.  This Conference was held last month in Brussels and was the Second North Sea Hydrogen Ports and Maritime Conference. There was a wide spectrum of speakers at the Conference from the European Commission, national government policy makers and from the ports, maritime and hydrogen industries.   European Policy Solutions would  like to thank Nedstack and CMB Tech for their support  for the event.

The Conclusions outline

• Policy developments in the European Union and North Sea national governments
•  Development of strategies and projects in North Sea ports and maritime industries
•  Developments in international co-operation
• Discussions about closer co-operation between the ports, maritime and hydrogen setors in the North Sea Region

The Conference looked at the support for the hydrogen ports and maritime sector in current EU funding programmes and the opportunities offered in the EU’s new Green Deal and the EU 2021 to 2027 budget. The Conference also outlined developments in North Sea national governments, particularly the UK  Government’s Clean Maritime Plan  which was published in July 2019.

There were presentations from the ports of Antwerp, den Helder and Oostende on the strategies and projects that they had developed. The opportunities for ports through the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive 2  were also explainned.  the Conference also heard about the introduction of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in the shipping sector.

Since the first North Sea Hydrogen Ports and Maritime Conference in March 2019, there have been significant international initiatives and there were presentations looking at the Getting to Zero Coalition and the Poseidon Principles Initiatives.   A Zero Emission Shipping Technology Association (ZESTAs) has been establised and the FCH-JU have been working with the US and Japanese Governments on the development of H2 ports.  There were contributions on all these initiatives.

The Afternoon Panel looked at ways in which closer co-operation could be developed in the North Sea Region which will bring together the ports, maritime and hydrogen sectors.  There are proposals to develop this co-operation through the North Sea Hydrogen Ports and Maritime Community (NS HyMaP.)    This website will keep you up-to-date with developments in NS HyMaP.

The Conference Conclusions can be found here