On November 22nd, Her Excellency, Ms. Naledi Pandor, the South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, has visited the port of Rotterdam to discuss the export of hydrogen from South Africa to Rotterdam.

Ms. Naledi Pandor had a high-level meeting with Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Also in the delegation was Mr. Vusi Madonsela, Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of South Africa to the Netherlands.

Hydrogen production

The South African government is making plans to produce hydrogen on a large scale. The country is very well positioned to produce large volumes of green hydrogen because of the possibility to generate large quantities of solar energy. Production may serve both local uses, decarbonize industries and road transportation, and for export of energy.

Europe’s Hydrogen Hub

The port of Rotterdam is an important entry point into Northwest Europe for hydrogen and other new, low carbon and zero-emission fuels and feedstocks of the future, such as green ammonia, methanol, and e-kerosine. Its infrastructure is being adjusted to receive large volumes of these already from 2024 onwards.

Boegoe Baai

Recently, the South African company Sasol announced plans to have 5 GW electrolysis capacity operational in the Boegoe Baai area.

The aim of the South African authorities here is to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and create a new port in Boegoe Baai, focused on the production of hydrogen and Power-to-X fuels and feedstocks from renewables for export. The Northern Cape Economic Development Agency (NCEDA), the Presidential Investment Agency, and Port of Rotterdam are together examining what it takes to create a successful port and SEZ in Boegoe Baai, that may function as an exporting hub for the country, shipping corridor for hydrogen between Boegoe Baai and Rotterdam but also to other regions in the world where hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives might be required as a future fuel or feedstock.