The Port of Tilbury, GeoPura and Toyota hosted a hydrogen showcase on April 30, 2026 at the London International Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, attracting over 100 delegates from industry, technology and policy.
The centrepiece of the event was the arrival of Energy Observer, the world’s first self-sufficient hydrogen-powered vessel and floating renewable energy laboratory, which moored at the port for the occasion.
Three rotating sessions gave attendees direct exposure to hydrogen production, storage and dispensing technologies in action, alongside guided visits to a co-located hydrogen production facility and nearby Lower Thames Crossing construction activity.
Demonstrations included hydrogen-powered vehicles and generators, refuelling systems and off-grid power applications, illustrating the breadth of practical hydrogen solutions available for deployment across industrial and port environments.
The showcase built on a recently announced agreement between GeoPura and Forth Ports, owner and operator of the Port of Tilbury, to develop an on-site green hydrogen production facility.
The arrangement positions Tilbury as the first UK port to support commercial-scale hydrogen production for heavy industry.
It also complements GeoPura’s agreement to supply green hydrogen to the Lower Thames Crossing project, representing the largest volume of hydrogen contracted for a UK construction project to date.
David Housden, Head of Engineering at the Port of Tilbury, described the event as a demonstration of collective ambition to deliver innovative low-carbon solutions across the supply chain, highlighting the pace at which hydrogen-powered vehicles and on-site power generation are being integrated at Tilbury.
Andrew Cunningham, CEO of GeoPura, framed the Thames Estuary as a rapidly emerging hydrogen hub, emphasising hydrogen’s role in bridging gaps where grid power is insufficient or insufficiently flexible for port energy demands.
Luigi Ksawery Luca’, President and Managing Director of Toyota GB, highlighted the event as an illustration of the company’s hydrogen strategy across fuel cell vehicles, business partnerships and ecosystem development.
