Oslo, Norway and Port-La Nouvelle, France – Höegh Evi, a global leader in marine energy infrastructure solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the port of Port-La Nouvelle to develop a floating terminal for hydrogen imports. The hydrogen will be sourced from producers in regions including the Middle East, North Africa, and the Americas.

The floating terminal at Port-La Nouvelle is set to play a crucial role in Europe’s clean energy transition by becoming a key hub for importing large volumes of hydrogen. This project is aligned with the EU’s ambitions to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Erik Nyheim, president and CEO of Höegh Evi, commented on the significance of the partnership: “As a global leader in floating terminal infrastructure, Höegh Evi is leveraging our extensive expertise to enable Europe to import significant volumes of clean molecules within this decade. With its strategic location and well-established marine infrastructure, Port-La Nouvelle is ideally positioned to become a key entry point for hydrogen and low-carbon fuels. Together, we are driving the energy transition forward by establishing a crucial hub for clean energy in Europe.”

The collaboration will involve European initiatives such as the HySoW Hydrogen project and the gas pipeline operator Teréga. This floating import terminal will connect Port-La Nouvelle to major hydrogen transport infrastructures, thereby strengthening the industrial and energy profile of the Occitanie region while promoting job growth in the area.

Hans Kerstens, CEO of SEMOP Port-La Nouvelle, emphasised the port’s commitment to green energy: “In recent years, the port of Port-La Nouvelle has made significant investments to expand and prepare the port for the future. Our focus is to become an enabler in the green energy transition. The port is eager to accommodate new types of traffic, particularly those related to renewable energies and, in particular, hydrogen molecules. We look forward to working with Höegh Evi towards our common goal of turning Port-La Nouvelle into the European gateway hub for hydrogen in the Mediterranean.”

The terminal is projected to facilitate the import of up to 210,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year by 2030, depending on the readiness of France’s hydrogen pipeline network. The partners are currently collaborating on the feasibility assessment and design of the necessary infrastructure for the port.

For more information visit www.hoeghevi.com