HES International – HES and North Atlantic, the Canadian energy company, on May 27, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding – MoU to collaborate on the creation of an Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier or LOHC-based hydrogen import path in Germany via the Port of Wilhelmshaven. The official signing ceremony took place in Berlin with the Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport and Construction of the State of Lower Saxony, Grant Hendrik Tonne, in attendance.
The agreement is another important step in the growth of Wilhelmshaven into a strategic center in terms of a European hydrogen economy. As the operator of the liquid bulk terminal located at the port, HES International will look into how its current assets can be reconfigured and prepared for the future to facilitate the import, distribution, and storage of hydrogen in LOHC form, thereby contributing to the sustainable decarbonisation of the industrial energy supply within Germany and beyond.
It is well to be noted that the partnership with North Atlantic is made up of HES International’s broader group approach to capitalise on its portfolio of European terminals as a platform for transition of energy. Apparently, this MoU is an initial concrete step in putting that goal into cross-border, transatlantic collaboration.
According to Paul van Gelder, CEO of HES International, “Wilhelmshaven is one of Europe’s most strategically positioned energy gateways. This MoU with North Atlantic reflects our commitment to PROGRESS 2030 — repurposing proven infrastructure for next-generation energy carriers and creating lasting value for our partners, our people, and the regions we serve.”
As per Ted Lomond, President & CEO of North Atlantic, “North Atlantic’s strategic location, experience and infrastructure place us in an excellent position to lead Canada’s hydrogen exports to Europe. Our planned wind-to-hydrogen development is strengthened by our partnership with HES and connects Newfoundland and Labrador directly to Germany and the Port of Wilhelmshaven.”
Opines Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport and Construction of the State of Lower Saxony, Grant Hendrik Tonne, “We support this project because it is good for the energy transition, advances the hydrogen ramp-up, strengthens European resilience, and reinforces Wilhelmshaven as a business location. By establishing a transatlantic import chain, an innovative approach is being pursued to bring large volumes of climate-neutral hydrogen to Europe safely and efficiently. The fact that this project is to be realised via Wilhelmshaven underlines the strategic importance of our state as an energy hub.”
The fact is that with LOHC-based hydrogen import path in Germany, LOHC technology allows for safe transport and storage of hydrogen in liquid form with the help of current infrastructure, an attractive option for large-scale hydrogen imports into Europe. Wilhelmshaven is well-placed to be a hub for these imports given its deep-sea port access and current infrastructure for energy.