An initiative of 18 companies led by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and including energy majors Shell, BP and ExxonMobil, among others, has commenced a study into the possible set-up of a large-scale ammonia cracker to enable hydrogen imports.
The initiative also includes Air Liquide, Aramco, Essent/ E.ON, Gasunie, GES, HES international, Koole Terminals, Linde, OCI, RWE, Sasol, Uniper, Vopak, VTTI.
The pre-feasibility study will look into the technical, economical, environmental and safety requirements of a large cracking facility. The first results of the study are expected in early 2023.
If established, the facility will enable imports of 1 million tons of hydrogen per year for the decarbonisation of industry and mobility.
For this purpose, the participants have commissioned Fluor to study possibilities for a large central cracking facility in the port area to convert imported ammonia back into 1 million tons of hydrogen per year.