Esbjerg and Ulsan Collaborate on Hydrogen and Ammonia for Renewable Energy

Port Esbjerg and Ulsan Port have announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the green energy sector through a collaborative effort focused on hydrogen and ammonia handling.

Port Esbjerg, located on Denmark's North Sea coast, is positioning itself as a critical hub in the expanding offshore wind energy sector. With ambitious plans to establish 134 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050, Port Esbjerg is set to play a pivotal role in the transition to renewable energy. In 2023, the port secured a significant investment of DKK 5.8 billion (approximately €779 million) from Pension Danmark for constructing facilities dedicated to offshore wind turbine production.

Additionally, €94 million has been allocated for developing terminals to handle Power-to-X technologies and carbon capture and storage (CCS), while €67 million will enhance Port Esbjerg's capabilities as a multi-modal logistics hub. These investments will support the development of flex terminals, logistics properties, and facilities for green fuels.

On the other side, Ulsan Port, located in South Korea, is advancing its goal to become a low-carbon energy hub. Ulsan Port is pursuing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korean Register (KR), an international classification society, to support methanol-fueled ships.

Furthermore, Ulsan Port plans to establish a clean hydrogen and ammonia terminal at Ulsan New Port by 2030. This terminal will focus on storing ammonia for hydrogen production and supply, reflecting Ulsan’s commitment to integrating green fuels into its operations.

The partnership between Port Esbjerg and Ulsan Port reflects a shared vision for the future of green energy and aligns with their respective strategic goals. Port Esbjerg benefits from Ulsan’s expertise in hydrogen and ammonia handling, while Ulsan Port leverages Port Esbjerg’s status as a key player in the offshore wind sector.

This collaboration aims to enhance both ports’ capabilities in handling and distributing green energy, positioning them as central figures in the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions.

This announcement follows a recent visit to Ulsan by a Danish delegation, which included representatives from Port Esbjerg, Esbjerg Municipality Mayor Jesper Frost Rasmussen, and officials from the Royal Danish Embassy in Seoul. The visit underscored the existing strong connections between Danish maritime companies and Ulsan, further cementing the collaboration between the two ports.

Overall, this partnership represents a significant step towards integrating renewable energy infrastructure and advancing the global transition to a low-carbon economy. With both ports investing heavily in their respective green energy initiatives, their collaboration promises to foster innovation and drive progress in the energy sector, setting a precedent for future international partnerships in sustainable development.