RH2INE welcomes WaterstofNet as its new program office
Turnhout – As of January 1, 2025, WaterstofNet will oversee the program office of the RH2INE network, taking over the baton from its founding members, the Province of Zuid-Holland (NL) and North Rhine-Westphalia (DE). The leadership transition marks a new chapter for RH2INE, which simultaneously continues to grow with the addition of new members to its network. Following an intensive and valuable consultation process, the renewed partnership is proud to unveil its refreshed vision and mission from 2025 onwards, setting the stage for a strengthened commitment to hydrogen innovation, infrastructure and cross-border collaboration in the years ahead.
On a mission for sustainable inland navigation
The mission, developed in collaboration with the steering members, focuses on further strengthening the hydrogen infrastructure in the Rhine-Alpine corridor. The four key points of RH2INE are: organizing structural cooperation and knowledge exchange with parallel and national initiatives, establishing a tanktainer pool, speaking with one voice to European and national authorities, and, lastly, increasing visibility within the inland navigation community. WaterstofNet will play a coordinating role and oversee the implementation of the corresponding activities.
CEO Bert De Colvenaer and project manager Tom Verlinden of Waterstofnet (right in the photo) were presented with the key to the RH2INE secretariat at the latest RH2INE conference in Duisburg.
New members, new energy
RH2INE is expanding further and now represents a broader geographic spread. Along the Dutch side, in addition to Province of Zuid-Holland, the Provincie of Noord Holland, Province of Utrecht, Provincie of Gelderland and Province of Overijssel are welcomed as new steering members. In Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia is joined by the region of Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition, Flanders is represented by the Vlaamse Waterweg. These new partners enhance the influence of RH2INE and promote collaboration on hydrogen between various regions in Europe.
Ports strengthen hydrogen infrastructure
The ports in the Rhineregion also play a crucial role in strengthening the hydrogen infrastructure. Therefore, the ports of Rotterdam, Duisburg, Switzerland (Basel), and Antwerp-Bruges have joined as members of the RH2INE network. These ports play a key role in the development of hydrogen infrastructure along the Rhine-Alpine corridor, and their involvement will accelerate the transition to a sustainable, zero-emission future. This expansion of partners marks an important step in strengthening and promoting cross-border hydrogen solutions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and beyond.
Steering member of RH2INE (yellow) as from january 1st onwards
Visions for a green hydrogen future
Bert De Colvenaer, CEO with WaterstofNet: "As coordinator of the RH2INE network, we can leverage our experience and expertise to accelerate the hydrogen economy. We look forward to the opportunities this broadening presents to help transform the region into a sustainable, zero-emission future. This is an important collaboration for accelerating hydrogen implementation in the Rhine Valley as an example for Europe."
Tom Hautekiet, Chief Business Development & Transition Officer with Port of Antwerp-Bruges: "We continue our efforts to support and actively contribute to the RH2INE network because we believe that cross-border collaboration is essential in rolling out hydrogen as one of the solutions for zero emission inland shipping. Aligning existing and new initiatives with standardisation efforts, joint advocacy and building out port infrastructure will be crucial to develop sustainable inland barging connections along the Rhine corridor."
Markus Bangen, CEO with Duisburger Hafen AG: "Building on the promising results of the past years, it is essential to involve all stakeholders across national borders and bring together their perspectives. We are therefore pleased that the diverse interests and initiatives for the use of hydrogen on the River Rhine and in inland navigation will in the future be coordinated in the RH2INE program office. As a port and infrastructure provider, we are proud to contribute our expertise to the RH2INE network and thus actively shape the sustainable future of inland navigation."
The new steering members met for the first time in Arnhem on December 2nd.
About WaterstofNet
WaterstofNet is a knowledge and cooperation platform that contributes to a carbon-neutral society by developping, supporting and realizing hydrogen projects in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and beyond. Together with industry and the government, WaterstofNet provides concrete realizations in the field and lay the foundation for further cooperation. In addition, they are a preferred point of contact for governements in relation to their hydrogen visions and legislation, supporting them with solid policy wherever possible. Next to RH2INE, WaterstofNet also takes on the secretariat of the Benelux hydrogen cluster 'Waterstof Industrie Cluster' and the national 'Belgian Hydrogen Council'.
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