Your working groups quaterly update (summer '25)
Standardisation
The Standardisation Working Group is evolving. What began with CONDOR H2’s tanktainer standards is now transforming into CONDOR ZE, expanding its scope to include other technologies such as fuel cells and battery packs. The shift reflects a broader ambition: not just to standardise containers, but to shape a consistent technical framework for a range of hydrogen innovations. New working, with those new starting theme’s are launching this summer – and of course: we’ll keep you posted on which standards to use in the future.
Market Development
Commercialising zero-emission shipping remains a challenge, and this group is tackling it head-on. Their mission? To shape market conditions that enable Final Investment Decisions (FIDs). The renewed focus is on three submarkets - sand & gravel, containers, and edible oils - each with its own ecosystem and significant potential, divided into three projects. The Province of South Holland and the Inland Terminal Group are already on top of two of those three projects, and talks for the third segment are underway. A full project launch is expected in July.
Tanktainer Pool Company
Say hello to ‘NewCo’: a Special Purpose Vehicle designed to provide a shared pool of hydrogen tanktainers for inland shipping. Well, almost say hello - since talks around the official launch of the company are still ongoing. Several companies in our network are now meeting monthly to discuss the scope, company structure, legal form, and shareholder arrangements (and many other aspects ofcourse!). While we can’t reveal too much just yet, the ambition is clear: we hope to officially introduce NewCo by Spring 2026. The working group is already putting in the effort to make this strong piece of collaboration a reality.
Subsidies
The clock was ticking fast towards the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) deadline: June 11, 2025 - for which coordination meetings shifted into high gear during spring. But in the end, it wasn’t meant to be: due to a missing financial institution, the consortium made a last-minute decision to shift its focus to the spring 2026 call instead. The upside? This move could allow NewCo to officially join the partnership, and it also gives everyone a bit more breathing room to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. In short: a plot twist worth following, so expect more updates in one of our next newsletters.
Policy
A couple of working group meetings in, and one thing is clear: the expertise is there and it’s time for some new actions. That’s why the group is proposing external presentations to inspire fresh thinking and deeper exchanges, especially around hot topics like ETS-2 opt-in and RED III. Key priorities include: interactivity, aligning cross-border policies, and exploring the potential for an EU stimulation fund for hydrogen-based inland shipping. Talk and traction!