Hydrogen council welcomes MSC into its fold, reaches 100+ members mark

As reported previously, a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), revealed that liquid hydrogen could power nearly all container vessels crossing the Pacific Ocean, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world..

The ICCT study found that 99% of the transpacific voyages made in 2015 could have been powered by hydrogen and fuel cells by replacing 5% of cargo space with extra storage for the clean fuel, or by adding an additional port of call to refuel..

The Hydrogen Council, a global CEO-led coalition has been working to enable the global energy transition through hydrogen.. The organisation uses its global reach to promote collaboration between governments, industry and investors, and to provide guidance on accelerating the deployment of hydrogen solutions around the world..

On the 12th of January 2021, the coalition which includes large multinationals, innovative SMEs and investors collectively as its members, welcomed

• six new steering members: CF Industries, Chemours, MSC Group, SABIC, Solvay and Uniper;
• nine supporting members: ACME, Black & Veatch, Bureau Veritas, Delek US Holdings, Enbridge Gas, PETRONAS, Reliance Industries Limited, Sinoma Science & Technology and Tokyo Gas; and
• two new investors: GIC and Natixis..

CMA CGM and NYK were among the first shipping companies to join the coalition in July 2020 and the Port of Rotterdam was one of the first industrial ports to embrace the initiative..

The Hydrogen Council’s efforts have been buoyed by the joining of MSC – the world’s 2nd largest container shipping line..

The initiative is part of MSC’s wider approach to decarbonisation which has already seen the company pioneer the use of biofuels as a blended marine fuel and now sees MSC work with others to advance the exploration viability of hydrogen and fuels derived from it as potentially viable fuel sources for container shipping..

Announcing the news of MSC joining the Hydrogen Council, Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy & Government Affairs, MSC Group said “MSC is actively engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to accelerate the development of clean hydrogen fuels for shipping. The future of shipping and decarbonisation will rely on strong partnerships from both the perspective of technology collaboration and procurement. There must be a massive injection of energy and capital into R&D efforts to bring alternative fuels and alternative propulsion technologies to the marketplace to decarbonise all industries in the longer term. Initiatives such as the Hydrogen Council provide just the right platform to accelerate R&D, as well as to facilitate cross-industry collaboration,”

“The future of shipping and decarbonisation will rely on strong partnerships from both the perspective of technology collaboration and procurement,” he added..

A press release from MSC stated

“The Hydrogen Council is a global CEO-led initiative that brings together leading companies with a united vision and long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the clean energy transition. MSC is delighted to join this global coalition committed to accelerating the transition into a zero-carbon future.

Industry partnerships are needed to accelerate the development of clean hydrogen and fuels derived from it for the benefit of the entire container shipping industry. MSC contributes actively to the work of industry groups and associations, as well as initiatives such as the Hydrogen Council to facilitate cross-sector information sharing.”

The announcement comes as the Hydrogen Council and the hydrogen industry worldwide are ramping up efforts for the next stage in the development of the global hydrogen economy.

“We’re delighted to welcome seventeen new companies to our global initiative. The variety of industries and geographies represented in the Hydrogen Council demonstrates a widespread understanding that hydrogen is a key element of the global effort for a low-carbon future. Our group will continue to play its strategic guidance role to bring hydrogen markets to scale,” said Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide and Co-chair of the Hydrogen Council.

Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of Toyota Motor Corporation and Co-chair of the Hydrogen Council added: “Hydrogen can help deliver a cleaner future for our economies and societies. Backed by the experience and data provided by 100+ companies, the Hydrogen Council can help the industry to grow and deliver competitive projects.”

On 18-19 January 2021, the CEOs of Hydrogen Council member companies will convene virtually for the coalition’s annual meeting to set priorities for the year to come. “I look forward to this great opportunity to bring together a strong group of leaders to discuss the decisive action needed to turn recent public support for hydrogen into positive outcomes,” said Daryl Wilson, Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council. “In 2020, a long list of countries and regions announced new hydrogen strategies and committed to concrete targets and financing support for hydrogen as part of their sustainable recovery plans. In 2021, Council members will work to channel this momentum into bold action.”

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