H2A x Clipper Stad Amsterdam: Hydrogen Seminar Unites Policymakers and Industry to Advance Hydrogen Imports via Amsterdam

On the eight of October, aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, against the backdrop of the city’s historic harbor, policymakers, international port representatives, and industry leaders gathered for the Clipper Hydrogen Seminar. The seminar discussed what is needed from policy makers to further create a corridor in Amsterdam for high-volume hydrogen import and the throughput, for example the import from Bilbao through Amsterdam towards Duisburg.

To start, a clear call to action was presented by Member of the European Parliament Brigitte van de Berg. ‘What can the European Union do to make sure that importing hydrogen to Amsterdam can succeed? Feed me and my colleagues with what we need to do.’  Her words set the tone for the seminar ‘The transition is well underway, but practical hurdles, permitting, infrastructure, coordination, and investment, remain critical issues to solve.’

 This call-to-action lead to different discussions throughout the seminar, including topics such as how governments approach first-of-a-kind projects, building a European hydrogen corridor and the role of collaboration and infrastructure.

This led to the following key takeaways.

• First movers need support: Without clear incentives and risk-sharing mechanisms, innovative projects struggle to get off the ground. Panellists agreed that governments must provide clearer frameworks for early-stage investment and risk-sharing. Robust safety standards are essential but must be balanced with flexibility to enable innovation. Acceleration zones could, when implemented correctly, contribute to the development of pilot projects.
• Balance regulation with incentives. A successful transition requires both clear regulatory signals and positive incentives for industry to invest and lead. At present, pioneering initiatives often face higher risks without sufficient rewards. Demand creation should be a central element of both national and European industrial acceleration policies.
• Accelerate Permitting: To accelerate the hydrogen economy while maintaining high safety and environmental standards, the EU could further advance harmonization of permitting processes, including the definition of Best Available Techniques (BAT) for hydrogen technologies. In parallel, industry should contribute by improving the quality and completeness of permit applications.
• Enabling cross-border collaboration: A coordinated hydrogen strategy is required at the European level to create an environment where hydrogen imports can scale effectively. For example, the current limitations of transporting LH2 via inland shipping to the hinterland, or the lack of a European level-playing field for energy costs and energy infrastructure.
• Collaboration remains crucial: The North Sea Canal Area is well connected and collaborates intensively, and this must continue together with international partners. Because once hydrogen starts flowing into Amsterdam, the hydrogen economy will truly begin to take shape, and it is about ensuring the city is ready, connected, and capable of supporting that growth.

H2A continues to play a central coordinating role in connecting the partners, public and private, who will make hydrogen imports to Amsterdam a reality. This enables industries in the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia to transition sustainably and competitively.

The seminar demonstrated that the foundations are in place, the collaboration is growing, and the vision for a sustainable hydrogen economy is beginning to take shape, not in theory, but in practice. We thank all the speakers and participants of this event which have made this a success with a clear path forward.