Rotterdam, The Netherlands – The Belledune Port Authority (BPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with the Port of Rotterdam to work together on the movement of dry and liquid bulk commodities, and manufactured products, between Canada and The Netherlands, with a focus on green products and clean fuels, specifically hydrogen.

The CEOs of both ports signed the agreement today at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs in attendance.

BPA CEO Denis Caron says the agreement establishes a direct trade route with one of the largest clean energy markets in Europe.

“This is the latest step in our journey to bring sustainable energy solutions to the world, “ said Caron. “This agreement recognizes the benefits of working together in developing technology, infrastructure and export-import corridors for clean hydrogen from the Port of Belledune.”

“Because of its large demand, Europe will always need to import energy,” added René van der Plas, Director of the Port of Rotterdam International. “As we are Europe’s largest energy port, we’re actively setting up tradelanes for renewable energy, like hydrogen. We’re in touch with countries and companies across the globe, and Belledune in New Brunswick is a very promising port regarding its hydrogen export potential.”

“New Brunswick is well positioned to be Canada’s energy gateway to Europe and an integral player in lowering greenhouse gas emissions provincially, nationally and globally,” said New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs. “By working with key partners like the Belledune Port Authority, I am confident our energy vision will attract new business opportunities, create new energy supply chains and jobs, and drive economic growth.”

This agreement follows two similar clean energy trade MOU’s between the BPA and the German Ports of Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg, signed in 2022.

The agreements will support the BPA’s planned Green Energy Hub, a special development district for clean energy projects and complementary, low-carbon industries.

In August, the BPA announced an agreement with Cross River to develop a hydrogen facility powered by green-certified energy that would produce ammonia fuel for export. Planned expansions would create additional capacity to serve local, domestic, and international markets. The facility will be located at the Port’s Green Energy Hub.

The MOU with Rotterdam will strengthen the Ports’ bilateral partnership with the goal of supporting the energy needs of both Canada and The Netherlands, with a particular focus on the production, storage and shipment of cleaner fuels such as green ammonia, hydrogen, biomass and renewable natural gas.

The agreement also enables the Ports to explore the possibility of infrastructure developments; innovations and technology advancements in the maritime transport sector as it transitions to cleaner fuels and greener energy; best practices in liquid and dry bulk products storage and shipping, particularly in the areas of clean fuel and green energy; and support for the development of relationships between importers and exporters in Canada and The Netherlands.

For media inquiries:

Andrea Frascione

Director of Marketing and Communications

Belledune Port Authority

514-823-9543

[email protected]

Sjaak Poppe

Spokesperson, energy transition

Port of Rotterdam

+31 (0)6 224 66 553

[email protected]

About the Port of Belledune

The Belledune Port Authority (BPA) is part of Canada’s Port Authority network. Tasked with managing the infrastructure and assets of the Port of Belledune in Northern New Brunswick (NB), the BPA’s objectives include not only advancing the growth and prosperity of the economy in both Canada and the province of NB, but also fulfilling public policy objectives. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, the Port offers some of the shortest sea shipping routes to Europe. Equipped with four marine terminals, 1,600 acres of industrial-zoned land and world-class modern infrastructure, the Port specializes in the transportation of dry and liquid bulk, as well as break bulk or project cargo.

About the Port of Rotterdam

The aim of the Port of Rotterdam Authority is to strengthen the competitive position of the port of Rotterdam as a logistics hub and a world-class industrial complex in terms of both size and quality. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is able and willing to make an impact and so it is focusing on accelerating sustainability in the port and it is a partner in the digitalisation of the port and logistics chains. The Port of Rotterdam Authority’s core tasks are the sustainable development, management and operation of the port, the maintenance of the smooth and safe handling of shipping and supporting the future-resilience of the port of Rotterdam. Port area: 12,500 hectares (land & water, including approximately 6,000 hectares of industrial sites). Goods throughput: approximately 467 million tonnes of goods a year. Shipping: approximately 30,000 seagoing vessels and 100,000 inland vessels annually. For more information, visit www.portofrotterdam.com

Denis Caron, President & CEO of Port of Belledune, with Allard Castelein CEO of Port of Rotterdam