Daimler Truck, HHLA and Kawasaki Heavy Industries launch strategic partnership to build a European supply chain for liquid hydrogen

Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the international Hydrogen Technology World Expo trade fair in Hamburg. The partnership aims to explore the establishment of a reliable and economical supply chain for green liquid hydrogen via the Port of Hamburg to the European hinterland.

Its purpose is to enable the import of liquid hydrogen from producer countries to Germany and, in particular, to strengthen Hamburg’s position as a central hub. The partners will use the months ahead to analyse the logistical requirements for handling and onward transport by road and rail. Furthermore, the initiative aims to encourage other companies and institutions in order to establish a consortium covering the entire hydrogen value chain.

Dr Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management, Daimler Truck, responsible for Truck Technology:

“Going forward, Europe will remain dependent on imports for green energy – and hydrogen will play a key role here. Our partnership is an important step in this direction, and we will need more initiatives of this kind to strengthen Europe's leadership in the field of liquid hydrogen. Particularly noteworthy: not only can our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck become an important recipient of green liquid hydrogen, it also handle the onward transport by road. And the best bit? Hydrogen will speed up the process of decarbonisation – and reduce the scope and costs of the electricity grid’s already sluggish expansion.”

Annette Walter, Chief Financial Officer, HHLA:

“Hydrogen is key to a climate-neutral future – and here at HHLA, we are determined to play an active role in shaping this development. Liquid hydrogen is a pivotal cog in this wheel, as it does not require pipelines for transport – a crucial advantage for mobility, logistics, aviation and, in particular, for small and medium-sized enterprises. Our aim is to ensure the reliable supply of hydrogen to the industrial sector via our European logistics network. The partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Daimler Truck is an important step towards making liquid hydrogen more widely available and driving the process of decarbonisation within a collaborative framework.”

Kei Nomura, Executive Central Manager, Hydrogen Strategy Division, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.:

"Liquid hydrogen is crucial and key to a society powered by sustainable energy. We have been working to build the technological foundation for a long time. It is a pleasure to be cooperating with HHLA and Daimler Truck to pilot an international supply chain for liquid hydrogen in Europe, starting in Hamburg. Kawasaki Heavy Industries can draw on proven technologies and extensive experience in the production, storage, transport and reception of liquid hydrogen. We will harness this know-how to support the expansion of a hydrogen supply network in Europe. Moving forward, we will continue to rely on global partnerships to broaden the use of liquid hydrogen and accelerate decarbonisation.”

A powerful statement for the energy transition

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding underscores the strategic importance of liquid hydrogen for the energy transition and the transformation of European industry. The partners contribute complementary expertise: HHLA as a European network logistics provider, Daimler Truck as a global commercial vehicle manufacturer with a focus on CO₂-neutral drive systems – battery-electric and hydrogen-based – and Kawasaki Heavy Industries as an experienced technology provider in the field of hydrogen infrastructure.

With its Group Vision 2030, the Kawasaki Group is pursuing innovative solutions to overcome social challenges in the areas of ‘A Safe and Secure Remotely-Connected Society’, ‘Near-Future Mobility’ and ‘Energy and Environmental Solutions’. In line with Japan's Basic Energy Plan, Kawasaki is working with authorities and companies around the world to establish a hydrogen supply chain at an early stage – from production to transport, storage and utilisation. A key component of this strategy is the development and commissioning of liquefied hydrogen vessels in various sizes – with up to 160,000 m³ of LH₂ on board – and, in the future, also ships comparable to today's LNG carriers.

HHLA is pursuing the goal of Group-wide climate-neutrality by 2040. As a European logistics company, HHLA is also carving a niche in the field of hydrogen import and distribution. With a network that extends from various seaports to the European hinterland, the company is well positioned to capitalise on new opportunities in the hydrogen market. Moreover, HHLA is working hard on the use of fuel cells in handling equipment and heavy goods transport as part of the Clean Ports & Logistics innovation cluster. The aim is to achieve a sustainable reduction in greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions.

Daimler Truck has adopted a two-pronged strategy of using battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles to decarbonise transport. The company has been developing and testing prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck with fuel cells since 2021 and is demonstrating their reliability and performance in flexible long-distance transport. In 2023, a prototype completed a 1,047-kilometre trek across Germany under real-world conditions on just one tank of liquid hydrogen. Initial beta testing was recently completed, during which five GenH2 trucks covered more than an aggregated 225,000 kilometres in regular operation. A second test phase with the same vehicles and additional customers is scheduled for next year. From the end of 2026, a small series of 100 semitrailer units will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth and put to use by customers. The aim is to launch industrial series production of hydrogen-powered lorries – initially for the European market – from the early 2030s.