Flanders takes a new step in developing a sustainable hydrogen economy with FLHYPorts. The groundbreaking initiative for a hydrogen valley connects the production, distribution, and end-use of hydrogen within the Flemish port ecosystems.
Flemish ports as a driving force of the hydrogen chain
FLHYPorts is coordinated by Flemish Hydrogen Network and is based at the Hyoffwind facility. This 25 MW plant for green hydrogen electrolysis is currently under construction. The three Flemish ports – Antwerp-Bruges, North Sea Port, and Ostend – play a crucial role in the production, distribution, and application of hydrogen. Industrial partners such as Virya and Messer, co-owners of Hyoffwind, support hydrogen uptake in various ways: in mobility (Dhyve), shipping and port equipment (ATS, Boluda, Kalmar, Hyster-Yale), industry, energy integration, and inland shipping (MTS).
FLYHPorts receives broad support from a consortium of knowledge partners, including the University of Antwerp and Cenex, infrastructure operators such as Fluxys, government agencies, and international partners. This strong collaboration ensures the widespread dissemination and replication of the project’s approach, both within and outside Europe.
Contribution to European hydrogen ambitions
The project contributes to the objectives of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking’s work programme and the REPowerEU plan. It focuses on establishing Belgium's first Hydrogen Valley and helps the EU realise its ambition to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025. By 2030, FLHYPorts aims to achieve annual hydrogen consumption of more than 1,800 tonnes. Additionally, it will bring important technologies – primarily developed in Europe – to Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL 8) and facilitate the training of 500 hydrogen professionals.
Test environments for further deployment
Through real-life test environments in ports, FLHYPorts will deliver a certified RFNBO tracking system and a practical toolkit for replication, to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen valleys across Europe.
Bert De Colvenaer, CEO of WaterstofNet, emphasises: “FLHYPorts represents a significant milestone for Flanders and for the European hydrogen transition. With this project, we are taking the step from ambition to implementation by demonstrating how green hydrogen can be produced, distributed and used within real port and industrial ecosystems. By linking infrastructure, industry, logistics and innovation, FLHYPorts lays the foundations for Belgium’s first Hydrogen Valley and demonstrates how hydrogen can have a practical impact on transport, port operations and industry. This is precisely the kind of integrated, scalable approach that Europe needs to accelerate decarbonisation and strengthen its industrial leadership.”
Image: FLHyPorts
