UAE says it supports Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition

The UAE has moved to accelerate low carbon hydrogen deployment across various sectors with a raft of recent strategic initiatives, including setting up the first such global forum for hydrogen technologies for the maritime industry.

“To accelerate low-carbon hydrogen deployment, the UAE and its leading ports have showcased steadfast support to the Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition,” the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said in a statement on Monday.

The UAE, represented by the ministry, recently announced the Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap, a comprehensive national blueprint to support domestic, low-carbon industries, contribute to its net-zero ambition and establish the country as a competitive exporter of hydrogen.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is also at the forefront of other strategic initiatives and legislation that have enabled the UAE to consolidate its position among the best global maritime centres and enhance maritime safety standards, while protecting the marine environment globally.

“The UAE has always been a key contributor to the global sustainability movement. During COP26, the UAE launched UAE’s Hydrogen Roadmap as the UAE is well positioned to be a leader in low carbon hydrogen,” Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said in a statement.

The UAE has announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, making the country the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to do so. The net zero initiative, IMO 2030 decarbonisation goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 are aimed at enhancing policy dialogue and project-oriented collaboration in tandem with the coalition.

“Hydrogen is envisaged to play a significant role in UAE’s domestic strategy to meet the UAE 2050 Net-Zero goals…We have been committed to upholding our responsibility by participating in several established sustainable platforms for knowledge-sharing among maritime nations and administrations on best practices,” Al Mazrouei said.

The minister added that the UAE’s involvement with the Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition is one such effort that supports its Energy Strategy 2050 to achieve an energy mix combining renewable and low carbon energy sources.

According to Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, the UAE plans to maximise its investments until 2050 in clean energy. “Hydrogen is a key aspect of this strategy. Currently, the expansion of the UAE’s hydrogen economy is in process with mega projects involving several of our leading ports,” he said in a statement.

Projects cited by the ministry include the two-gigawatt green ammonia project by Taqa, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, and Abu Dhabi Ports – which aims to produce green hydrogen and process it into liquid ammonia, to be used in ships as bunker fuel and for export.

“This coupled with other endeavours by our ports will reinforce the UAE’s position as a key competitive maritime hub,” Al Olama said.