Daimler Truck AG, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg. The partnership will explore building a reliable liquid hydrogen supply chain from overseas to Europe via the Port of Hamburg. The project aims to transport hydrogen efficiently to the European hinterland. Over the coming months, the partners will study logistics for transshipment and onward transport by road and rail. They also plan to invite other companies to join the hydrogen value chain consortium.
Advancing Europe’s Green Energy Goals
Dr. Andreas Gorbach, Daimler Truck Board Member, said: “Europe will rely on green energy imports, and hydrogen is key. Our partnership strengthens Europe’s liquid hydrogen supply. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck can run on hydrogen and transport it by road. Hydrogen speeds up decarbonization and reduces grid expansion costs.”
Annette Walter, HHLA CFO, added: “Liquid hydrogen supports a climate-neutral future. It can move without pipelines, helping mobility, logistics, and small businesses. Our goal is to supply hydrogen reliably through Europe. This partnership helps make hydrogen widely available and accelerates decarbonization.”
Kei Nomura, Kawasaki Executive Manager, said: “Liquid hydrogen is vital for a sustainable energy society. We bring proven technology in production, storage, and transport. Together with Daimler Truck and HHLA, we aim to build a European hydrogen supply network. We will expand liquid hydrogen use through global partnerships.”
Complementary Expertise
The partnership combines strong capabilities:
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Kawasaki Heavy Industries provides hydrogen infrastructure technology.
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HHLA offers European logistics and port network expertise.
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Daimler Truck delivers CO2-neutral battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Kawasaki’s Global Hydrogen Strategy
Kawasaki implements solutions under its Group Vision 2030: safe mobility, near-future transport, and energy/environmental solutions. The company aims to realize hydrogen-based societies. Plans include liquid hydrogen carrier ships of varying sizes, up to 160,000 m³, similar to LNG carriers today.
HHLA Targets Climate-Neutral Operations
HHLA plans full climate neutrality by 2040. The company is expanding hydrogen import and transport. HHLA also develops fuel cells for cargo handling and heavy transport through its Clean Ports & Logistics cluster. These efforts reduce greenhouse gases and emissions.
Daimler Truck Advances Hydrogen Trucks
Daimler Truck follows a dual-track strategy: battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Since 2021, it has tested Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck prototypes with fuel cells for long-haul transport. In 2023, a prototype completed 1,047 km on a single tank of liquid hydrogen.
Initial customer trials with five trucks covered over 225,000 km. A second trial phase will start next year. Daimler plans to produce 100 next-generation semitrailer tractors in Woerth, Germany, with operations from late 2026. Series production of hydrogen-powered trucks in Europe is expected in the early 2030s.
